2025-07-06 Cardinals at Cubs Matchup Preview

Starting Pitching Matchup

Erick Fedde will take the mound for the St. Louis Cardinals, while Matthew Boyd is slated to pitch for the Chicago Cubs. Fedde will look to leverage his pitch movement to keep Cubs hitters off balance. Boyd, similarly, will aim to exploit any weaknesses in the Cardinals' lineup with a mix of velocity and movement. The ability to command the strike zone early will be crucial for both starters.

Cardinals' Offensive Outlook Against Boyd

The St. Louis Cardinals' offense will face a challenge against Matthew Boyd. A key aspect of their approach will be their ability to elevate against left handed pitchers. If the Cardinals hitters can manage a high percentage of hard-hit balls, they may be able to manufacture some runs, as the Cubs' left handed pitching has a propensity for leaving balls over the plate. The Cardinals' ability to draw walks is below league average, so being aggressive in fastball counts and forcing Boyd to work deeper into counts will be crucial. The Cardinals' contact rate is below average so they must be willing to shorten up and put the ball in play.

Cubs' Offensive Outlook Against Fedde

The Chicago Cubs' offense needs to emphasize getting on base. Erick Fedde will be attempting to induce groundballs and limit extra-base hits, the ability of the Cubs' hitters to post a high percentage of pitches seen in the zone will be paramount. The Cubs' offense has shown a knack for drawing walks, as their walk percentage is above the league average. They also have a good tendency for hitting line drives. The Cubs' ability to capitalize on mistake pitches and drive the ball into the gaps will be key to their success.

Cardinals' Defensive Strengths

The Cardinals' defense has been fairly average so far, meaning there is not much of a difference between the Cardinals and league average. With Fedde on the mound, the Cardinals' infield defense must be prepared for a heavy workload, as he tends to induce a lot of ground ball outs. Preventing runners from advancing on routine ground balls will be essential in limiting the Cubs' scoring opportunities.

Cubs' Defensive Strengths

The Cubs' defense this season has been above average, and will be important for maintaining a pitchers duel into the later innings. Boyd's pitching style often leads to fly balls and strikeouts, therefore outfield positioning and coverage will be paramount. The Cubs' defense will be tested by the Cardinals' hitters who prioritize contact over power.

Bullpen Considerations

The bullpens for both teams could play a significant role, especially if the starting pitchers have short outings. The Cardinals' bullpen will need to be ready to provide quality innings if Fedde struggles to go deep into the game. The Cubs' bullpen has been reliable and they will need to be ready to shut down the Cardinals' offense should Boyd get into trouble. The ability to limit traffic on the basepaths will be a key factor in determining which bullpen can maintain a lead.

Overall Game Strategy

For the Cardinals, getting runners on base and manufacturing runs will be crucial against a solid Cubs pitching staff. On the other side, the Cubs need to capitalize on their ability to hit the ball in the air and put pressure on the Cardinals' defense. The team that executes its offensive strategy more effectively and leverages its defensive strengths will likely come out on top.

Predicted Score: Cardinals 4 Cubs 6