The Cardinals-Cubs rivalry is one of the best in sports, but it’s mostly friendly.
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Calling Cardinals playoffs games a fall ritual that’s proven safe for millions of the club’s fans over decades, Police Chief Sam Dotson declined to specify the number of officers he planned to deploy in uniform or civilian clothes for the best-of-five series that starts Friday in St. Louis.
From 1976 to 1985 the Royals made the playoffs seven times, played in two World Series and won the ’85 Series against their hated cross-state rivals. Here are all 19. St. Louis had a 3.93 ERA against the Cubs, going 7-3 at home and 4-5 at Wrigley Field.
But the Cardinals have won 11 of 19 meetings with the Cubs this season, although Chicago has won four of the past six. And, of course, they have the hottest pitcher on the planet in Jake Arrieta. The 29-year old posted a 2.43 ERA with 10 wins and 97 strikeouts while throwing 129 2/3 innings in just 20 starts. Later that night the Cardinals learned they will be playing the Cubs, who beat the Pirates in the NL Wild Card game. But they’ve only had the chance to meet in the playoffs since 1995 – the first year Major League Baseball adopted the wild card.
The teams play in baseball’s last two ancient cathedrals, Fenway Park and Wrigley Field.
He’ll be taking the mound against John Lackey tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. ET in Game 1.
June 26 at Busch Stadium: Cardinals 3, Cubs 2, 10 innings. Then past year happened: Eight straight playoff wins.
Toronto Blue Jays’ Jose Bautista jumps out of the way of an inside… “But right now I’m a Cub and hopefully will be a Cub for a long time”. In another game delayed by thunderstorms, Edwin Jackson entered after the delay with the Cubs trailing 2-0, and promptly put the game out of reach by allowing four runs. The Cubs swept the day-night doubleheader.
At Cubs, July 6-8: Split 2-2. This might have been the toughest loss of the entire season, never mind against the Cardinals.
For many, the 2011 World Series was one of the most memorable in history. As Householder put it, “I don’t get bitter about it as much, because my team always comes back”.
Dexter Fowler and Addison Russell each homered and had three RBIs apiece to fuel the Cubs’ 9-0 victory in the opener.
September 8 at Busch Stadium: Cubs 8, Cardinals 5.
This was the kind of moment the biggest free agent deal in team president Theo Epstein’s career was supposed buy – a Game 1 start in a place like this, in a series that could turn the postseason on its head. The Cardinals gave Wacha extra rest whenever possible down the stretch.
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[NBC SHOP: Get the latest Cubs gear here]. “Our friendship will go beyond this game, will go beyond this career, but come tomorrow, we’re not buddies anymore”. The Cubs struck in the first inning again, scoring three runs off Lance Lynn. Win or lose. And the games are always so peppy. Warnings had been issued by the time Hector Rondon accidentally (yes, really) hit Greg Garcia to lead off the ninth, so he was tossed. Stephen Piscotty’s two-run double pushed the Cardinals ahead for a 4-3 victory. They are in the postseason for the fifth time in five seasons, aiming to take this series and advance to the National League championship series for the fifth consecutive year.
