Can the Cubs Turn the Tide Against the Cardinals at Sloan Park?
As the Chicago Cubs prepare to face off against their long-standing rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals, at Sloan Park, fans are eager to see if their team can reverse recent fortunes. The upcoming game on March 26th is not just another preseason match—it's a chance for redemption.
The Cubs' performance in their last encounter with the Cardinals on March 25th left much to be desired. Despite a strong start with hits and runs early in the innings, they ultimately fell short, losing 6-3. Their hitting statistics were underwhelming—a batting average of .233 and an on-base percentage of .294—while leaving ten runners on base signaled missed opportunities.
The bullpen's struggles were evident as well; they posted an ERA of 9.0 over five innings pitched and allowed five runs from seven hits. This was a stark contrast to their starters who managed a more respectable ERA of 2.25 across four innings.
However, it wasn't all doom and gloom for CHC. They showed glimpses of power with two home runs contributing to their three extra-base hits (XBH). The slugging percentage stood at .500, indicating that when they did hit, they hit hard.
Looking back further provides some optimism for Cubs fans—their game against Seattle Mariners showcased an explosive offense where CHC tallied nine runs from fourteen hits including three home runs which contributed to an impressive slugging percentage of .683.
Defensively speaking, there have been positive signs too; in both games mentioned above as well as against Milwaukee Brewers on March 23rd, CHC maintained a perfect fielding percentage (FPCT) without committing any errors—a testament to their defensive reliability.
For this upcoming game against STL at Sloan Park—their fortress where fan support is always fervent—the key will be converting those hits into scores while maintaining defensive solidity. If they can capitalize on scoring opportunities better than in previous outings and if pitching can find its rhythm early on—especially from relievers—they stand a good chance of avenging their recent loss.
Fans looking forward to supporting the Chicago Cubs should mark their calendars for March 26th when these two teams clash again at Mesa's Sloan Park at 7:05 PM MST. The game will also be available for viewing via ESPN+.