Cardinals Lead Cubs 1-0 in NL Central Series at Busch Stadium

The St. Louis Cardinals, currently third in the NL Central, hold a 1-0 series lead over the division-leading Chicago Cubs as they prepare for their second matchup. The Cardinals have shown strong home performance with a solid pitching staff, ranked 10th in the NL for team ERA, and rely on consistent hitting rather than home runs, especially at the pitcher-friendly Busch Stadium. Alec Burleson has been a key offensive player for St. Louis, maintaining a high batting average and power numbers recently, while the Cubs boast a top on-base percentage and are expected to benefit from the potential return of pitcher Shota Imanaga. The Cardinals' bullpen faces challenges due to a taxing recent schedule, making starting pitchers' endurance crucial against the Cubs' potent offense. Meanwhile, the Cardinals continue their dominance over the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium, exemplified by a 6-1 win powered by Andre Pallante's six shutout innings and a five-run eighth inning. The Cardinals' ability to capitalize on errors and maintain a steady offensive pace underscores their competitive edge as they pursue the NL Central title.