It’s probably not very fair to ascribe too much additional importance to this game, but it’s kind of important to get out to a good start in the first of five contests in three days. Even if that’s more on the pitchers than the hitters, since the staff will be taxed to a greater degree than the lineup, beating up on Cards pitching could put the visitors on tilt.
The Cubs are stacking up righty hitters against a southpaw, starting with Kris Bryant in left. Anthony Rizzo is the lone lefty batter, followed by Javy Báez and Willson Contreras.