Pregame Notes: Arrieta, Cubs look for series win against Cards

It’s been a tough year for the Chicago Cubs (42-59), but one thing that would cheer fans up would be a series sweep against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. The Cubs took care of the first third winning the opener 7-6. They now turn to Jake Arrieta (5-2, 2.12), who will be looking for his ninth straight quality start.

The Cubs hoped to get that same type of start from Arrieta  to provide a break to a recently overworked bullpen. Short outings from Edwin Jackson and Travis Wood in the last two games have forced manager Rick Renteria to go to his pen early and often.

The Cardinals (54-48) will return Shelby Miller (7-8, 4.25) to the rotation after a brief move to the bullpen while they used a four-man rotation. Miller has been dealing with back tightness, and had failed to go six innings in 11 of his 19 starts.

The Cardinals are on a four-game losing streak, and continue to slide back in the standing after tying the Brewers for first-place one day before the All-Star break.

The game is a 3:05 pm CT start and will be on CSN and broadcast on WGN 720 AM.

Here are the lineups for today’s contest: