Chicago Cubs: Critical five-game set at Wrigley opens second half action

Chicago Cubs: Team must handle its business against Cardinals

With Mike Matheny dismissed last weekend, St. Louis is in a state of transition. Their hard-nosed skipper is gone and the man at the helm now carries an interim tag. Will John Mozeliak pull the trigger on a big-name guy like Joe Girardi or Dusty Baker midseason?

That’s anybody’s guess.

But it also means things aren’t exactly normal in that visitor’s clubhouse this weekend. The Cubs have no issues to distract them aside from questions surrounding Yu Darvish – and they’ve been dealing with those all season.

After throttling St. Louis with a 14-5 head-to-head record in 2017, the Cubs are struggling so far this season at 3-5. But it’s as simple as this. The team is finally healthy, rested and the rotation is lined up perfectly for this critical series to open the second half.

Next: Cubs All-Stars put on a show in Washington, D.C.

It’s time to buckle up, step up and stick the dagger in the Cards’ back. Chicago can snuff out any remaining hope that remains in St. Louis with a strong showing – and crush their rival’s postseason aspirations in one fell swoop.