Charles Rex Arbogas/AP
If there has been a wart in Marcus Stroman’s All-Star caliber contract year drive this season, it’s a walk rate that has crept to a career-high 9.2 percent after four free passes Thursday night; though it’s usually minimized in impact by a consistent ability to generate soft contact on the ground.
If there was a wart to center on in the Cubs’ play behind their ace in the opener of a four-game set with their archrival, it would be the two errors — and another misplay — at third base from Patrick Wisdom, leading to an unearned first inning Cardinals run.