This is an 8* NL TOTAL on the UNDER Cards/Cubs.

St. Louis took two of three from the Giants in San Francisco earlier in the week, but it dropped the finale on Wednesday by a score of 5-2.

The Cubs lost 11 in a row, before beating the Phillies 8-3 on Wednesday. Chicago though returned to form and fell 8-0 to Philadelphia on Thursday.

Start of a new series here and while the Cubs have seen the total go OVER in four straight, I think that this afternoon's matchup finally sets up as a bit more of a DUEL.

The visitors go with Wade LeBlanc, who is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA overall this season, but who is 0-0 with a 2.16 ERA for St. Louis. He's 3-1 with a 4.26 ERA in his career against the Cubs.

Chicago hands the ball to Kyle Hendricks (10-4, 3.83), who won eight starts in a row before posting back-to-back no-decisions.

He's 11-3 with a 2.82 ERA in 22 career starts against the Cardinals.

Finally, note that Chicago has seen the total go UNDER the number in five of its last six after playing to three or more straight OVERS in a row.

I think Hendricks and LeBlanc will battle into the latter frames this afternoon.

The play is the UNDER.

Good luck, NP