The Chicago Cubs don't plan to take it easy on their longtime rivals as they approach an upcoming international bout.
Outside of a polite congratulations for the 2016 World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals have no love for the Chicago Cubs.
The same goes for the other side, and ahead of their upcoming bout in London as part of the MLB London series, nothing appears to be different.
Chicago is set to have their top two starters take the mound against St. Louis in Justin Steele and Marcus Stroman pitching in Games 1 and 2 respectively.
This is quite a shakeup, but understandable considering Chicago has a couple of days off, allowing them the time to rest their two starters ahead of a series that normally ends with bragging rights as opposed to World Series aspirations.
Cubs are coming out with guns blazing ahead of their bout with the Cardinals
Chicago started the season 13-9, but they hit a large road bump that caused them to drop their record to below 0.500 at 26-36. Now, having won 10 of their last 12 games, the Blue Men of the Windy City look like they may have rightened the ship, at least for now. Meanwhile, St. Louis currently boasts a 31-44 record coming off a loss to Washington that ended the club's four-game win streak.
Having Stroman and Steele back on the mound provides a major boost for the club. Stroman currently has a 2.28 ERA and 83 strikeouts, good enough to be among the better pitchers in the National League. In contrast, Steele has upped his game with a 2.71 ERA, and with how well the Cubs have been playing as of late, it could spell positivity.
Game 1 of the Cardinals and Cubs International Series is set for Saturday and Steele will be up on the mound as the Cardinals send Adam Wainwright to the mound while Stroman faces Jack Flaherty in Game 2.
