The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals will begin their first ever playoff matchup on Friday night at Busch Stadium, and we now know the pitchers that will be toeing the rubber for both teams.
For the Cardinals, John Lackey will be their Game 1 starter when the two teams meet in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. For the Cubs, it will be Jon Lester, who was strong for the Cubs in the second half of the season but went just 1-3 with a 2.59 ERA and a .216 batting average against in five starts against the Redbirds this season.
In Saturday afternoon’s Game 2 at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals will pitch Jaime Garcia against Chicago’s Kyle Hendricks. Hendricks only pitched once against the Cardinals during the regular season, giving up six hits and four earned runs in a no-decision for the Cubs.
Game 3 will be the first home playoff game for the Cubs since the 2008 season, and Jake Arrieta will take the mound at Wrigley Field on Monday afternoon. Michael Wacha will oppose him for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals have also announced a Game 4 starter for the series, with Lance Lynn slated to pitch in the game if necessary at Wrigley Field. The Cubs did not name a starter for the game, but could go with Lester on three days rest or with Jason Hammel depending on the circumstances surrounding the game.
