Prizing:

1st Place: $50 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Starbucks gift card

Overview:

On Sunday April 2nd, the (0-0) Chicago Cubs will be on the road to take on the (0-0) St. Louis Cardinals.

The Crowd:

“The Crowd” projects a final score of Cubs 4.2 – Cardinals 2.7 with an over/under of 6.8.

Starting Pitchers:

CHC: Jon Lester (0-0, 0.00) vs STL: Carlos Martinez (0-0, 0.00)

Batting Stats:

Runs per game: Cubs 4.93 (3^rd) > Cardinals 4.81 (4^th)

Batting Average: Cubs .256 (14^th) > Cardinals .255 (18^th)

On Base Percentage: Cubs .343 (2^nd)> Cardinals .325 (11^th)

Total Bases: Cardinals 2455 (3^rd) > Cubs 2359 (10^th)

Baserunning Stats:

Stolen Bases: Cubs 66 (20^th) > Cardinals 35 (29^th)

Pitching Stats:

Team Earned Run Average: Cubs 3.15 (1^st) > Cardinals 4.08 (12^th)

Batting Average Against: Cubs .212 (1^st)> Cardinals .258 (18^th)

Walks/Hits Per Innings Pitched: Cubs 1.23 (5^th)> Cardinals 1.32 (12^th)

Strikeouts: Cubs 1441 (3^rd) > Cardinals 1290 (16^th)

Saves: Cubs 38 (22^nd) > Cardinals 38 (23^rd)

Fielding Stats:

Errors: Cubs 101 (22^nd) > Cardinals 107 (25^th)

Summary:

At long last the 2017 Major League Baseball season begins with a classic match-up between the Cardinals and Cubs.  There is extra spice added with outfielder Dexter Fowler defecting to the rival Cardinals in the offseason.  The Cubs are (6-4) in their last ten head to head games with the Cardinals outscoring them 50-35.  Cubs starter Jon Lester has held Cardinals batters to a .202 batting average against.  Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez has held Cubs batter to a .252 average against.  Anthony Rizzo is a player to watch with 3 home runs in 26 at bats off of Martinez.  I expect this to be a low scoring game with two aces facing off.  The Cubs improved their bullpen in the offseason with the additions of Wade Davis and Koji Uehara.  The return of Kyle Schwarber should provide a huge offensive boost and he has 30 homer potential this year.  I like the Cubs to win a close one on Opening Night.

**LISTEN HERE** to the latest edition of “The Berger Shop” podcast, sponsored by The Crowd’s Line.  This week’s episode features an in-depth discussion about the Sweet Sixteen with Adam Zagoria of the Zag’s Blog.

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