The St. Louis Cardinals started life without fired manager Mike Matheny with a 9-6 loss here at Wrigley yesterday. I think they're in for another tough game here Friday afternoon, facing All Star southpaw Jon Lester (12-2, 2.58 ERA) on the mound. Lester is 7-4 with a 2.26 ERA in 17 career starts against the Cards and 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA against them on the season. We can also note that Lester is 7-0 behind a 2.22 ERA in nine day starts.

St. Louis counters with Jack Flaherty (3-4, 3.24 ERA) who had allowed at least three runs in three straight outings prior to five scoreless frames against the Reds his last time out. Flaherty is winless in his last six starts.

The Cubs have won 13 of their last 16 games while the Cardinals have lost four of their last five.

8* play on Chicago Cubs.