The Cardinals begin a four-game road series Thursday night against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Right-hander Sonny Gray (10-6, 3.79) will take the mound for the Cardinals. Gray has a 6.67 ERA over his last five starts.
He's allowed five runs in three of his last four starts,
After his last start Gray said “I know what I need to do. I just have to do it. And I just have to commit to doing it, and I will.â€
He did not get into specifics.
The Cubs will counter with left-hander Shota Imanaga (8-2, 2.95).
Imanaga went seven innings and allowed one run vs. the Cardinals in June, his only appearance vs. the Redbirds.
Before the game, the Cardinals activated pitchers Erick Fedde and Shawn Armstrong, both of whom were acquired in trades this week. Fedde will wear No. 12 and Armstrong No. 30.
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Pitchers Michael McGrevvy and Ryan Loutos were optioned to Memphis.
The Cardinals are 56-52, second in the NL Central and five games out of first. ºüÀêÊÓƵ is 6-6 since the All-Star break.
The Cubs are 52-58, last in the NL Central and 6-9 in their last 15.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ has won six of nine meetings vs. the Cubs. The teams split a four-game set at Busch just before the All-Star break.
Chicago's .718 July OPS was third-worst in the National League.
Lineups
CARDINALS
1. Masyn Winn, SS
2. Willson Contreras, DH
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Tommy Pham, LF
6. Brendan Donovan, 2B
7. Lars Nootbaar, RF
8. Pedro Pagés, C
9. Michael Siani, CF
P: Sonny Gray, RHP
CUBS
1. Ian Happ, LF
2. Michael Busch, 1B
3. Seiya Suzuki, RF
4. Cody Bellinger, DH
5. Isaac Paredes, 3B
6. Nico Hoerner, 2B
7. Dansby Swanson, SS
8. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
9. Miguel Amaya, C
P: Shota Imanaga, LHP
Injury report
Riley O'Brien (flexor tendon): The right-hander is scheduled to throw an inning of relief for Memphis on Sunday and, barring any setbacks, will continue his rehab assignment on Wednesday. O’Brien’s workload on Wednesday could have him throw one-plus innings or be the first of back-to-back appearances, Marmol said. The Cardinals manager noted that, from a baseball decision point of view, he’d prefer O’Brien to throw in back-to-back outings to see how the right-hander responds to consecutive days of pitching in a game. Since beginning his rehab assignment on July 20, O’Brien has appeared in three games for Memphis and completed an inning apiece in each outing. Updated July 28
Steven Matz (lower back stiffness): Plans are for Matz, who simulated two innings of work in a bullpen session on Saturday, to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday, likely with Class AAA Memphis. The left-hander is scheduled to pitch two innings (or throw 40 pitches) in what would be his first game action since June 16, which was a rehab appearance with Class AA Springfield. Matz experienced discomfort in his back following the June 16 outing and had his rehab progress reset following a no-throw period. Updated July 28