This may be the most important game of the year for the St. Louis Cardinals (81-73). They trail both the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants by just a half-game in the Wild Card race, desperately needing to come out of Wrigley with a series win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.
St. Louis is 9-9 against the NL Central Champion Chicago Cubs (98-56) this season, recording six of those wins at the Friendly Confines. They are one of just two teams to win a series in Chicago this year, the other being the Colorado Rockies.