CHICAGO • The Cubs have not done all that well hiding lefty Jon Lester's reluctance to throw to first base, so the Cardinals didn't really have to do all that much to hide their intentions against the Lester.
By the time the lefty faced the fifth batter of the first inning, the Cardinals had had two batters show bunt, one reach base via a bunt, and two runs had scored on a busted-bat single.
It wasn't the blast the Cardinals still expect, but it was a start.
Now they have to try to hold onto the lead.