The final game of the 2018 regular season begins this Sunday at 3:20 PM ET, and we might not know the full National League playoff picture until they’re done. The St. Louis Cardinals (87-72, plus-3.76 betting units) visit the Chicago Cubs (92-66, plus-0.23 units) in a matchup that could be very important for both teams – depending on what happens between now and then.
The Cubs have already clinched a playoff spot, but they’re in a dogfight with the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the NL Central. The Cardinals are third in their division, and more importantly, they’re still within range of the second NL Wild Card berth despite losing three straight games.
Mike Montgomery (3.99 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs opposite Jack Flaherty (3.16 ERA) in a lefty-righty pitching duel. Chicago is down 2.64 units behind Montgomery on a team record of 8-8, while St. Louis is 11-16 and 7.55 units in the red with Flaherty on the mound, driving the Under to a 16-10-1 record. The Cards have only given Flaherty 4.19 runs of support per game, down from their usual 4.73 runs, and their disappointing bullpen ranks 20th in the majors with a 4.36 ERA.
