The Chicago Cubs head to Busch Stadium on Tuesday, July 28, for a 7:45 PM ET showdown with the St. Louis Cardinals. Colin Rea gets the start for Chicago in what shapes up as a meaningful NL Central divisional matchup. The Cardinals have not announced their probable starter. Cubs fans can catch the game on Marquee Sports Network or listen on 104.3 The Score, while TBS picks it up for out-of-market viewers. In a division race where every game against a rival carries weight, this one is worth your full attention.
Cubs Probable Starter: Colin Rea vs. Cardinals
Colin Rea draws the assignment Tuesday night in St. Louis. The right-hander has been a steady presence in the Cubs rotation, the kind of veteran arm that eats innings and keeps the team in ballgames. Rea is not the type to overpower a lineup, but he works the zone, mixes his pitches, and generally avoids the big inning — which matters plenty when you are pitching at Busch Stadium in a tight divisional series.
The Cardinals have not confirmed a starter as of this writing. That uncertainty makes it harder to game-plan, but the Cubs have enough experience against St. Louis arms that the lineup should be ready regardless of who toes the rubber for the home side.
Keys to Watch: Cubs at Cardinals
- Rea's command against a contact-heavy lineup: St. Louis tends to put the ball in play and make pitchers work. Rea needs to be efficient early, get ahead in counts, and avoid letting runners pile up against a Cardinals offense that can string hits together.
- Cubs offense on the road: Busch Stadium is a tough place to score runs. Chicago needs to be aggressive early against whatever starter St. Louis rolls out, especially given the unknown on the mound for the home team.
- Bullpen management: If Rea works deep into the game, the Cubs are in solid shape. If the pen is needed early, manager Craig Counsell will have to be sharp about matchups against a Cardinals lineup that can hurt you left and right.
- Cardinals' home-field edge: St. Louis plays well at Busch. The Cubs need to quiet the crowd early and take the energy out of the building.
Broadcast Information
Tuesday's game is on Marquee Sports Network locally and TBS for out-of-market viewers. Radio coverage is available on 104.3 The Score in Chicago. Spanish-language listeners can tune in to WIJR AM 880.
Prediction: Cubs vs. Cardinals on Tuesday, July 28
This is a winnable game for Chicago. Rea gives the Cubs a reliable floor — he is not going to get blown out of Busch Stadium in the third inning. If the Cubs offense gets to an unannounced Cardinals starter early and the bullpen holds, Chicago takes this one on the road. The Cardinals' lineup is always dangerous at home, so there is no such thing as a comfortable lead in this ballpark. Still, with a veteran starter and a divisional opponent showing some uncertainty at the top of their rotation, the edge goes to the Cubs. Expect a close game decided in the seventh inning or later. Cubs win, 4-3.
