Cubs, Cardinals conclude shortened series
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(SportsNetwork.com) - Returning postseason hero Michael Wacha tries to end what's evolved into a five-start winless drought on Thursday afternoon, when he and the St. Louis Cardinals host the Chicago Cubs in the finale of what's now a three-game series at Busch Stadium.
Wednesday night's game between the teams was postponed due to rain and will be made up on Aug. 30 as part of a day-night doubleheader.
Wacha, the MVP in last fall's National League Championship Series, is winless since defeating the Cubs, 6-4, on April 13. In five outings since, he's lost three decisions and compiled a 3.49 earned run average while the Cardinals have managed a grand total of eight runs in offensive support.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He faced the Cubs once since the last victory and was beaten, 3-0, at Wrigley Field on May 3 after allowing two runs and striking out six in six innings.
Wacha is fifth among National League pitchers with 57 strikeouts.
He's opposed by right-hander Jason Hammel, who's gone 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA in his last four outings.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The streak could consist of all victories, but Hammel, who's allowed five runs in his last 13 innings of work, has gotten just three runs from his offense, too.
He's 1-1 in three career starts against the Cardinals while posting a 5.28 ERA.
In his most recent meeting with them, he allowed three runs in six innings while getting a no-decision in a game the Cubs lost, 5-4.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}When they last met on Tuesday, Greg Garcia was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the 12th inning and the Cardinals topped the Cubs, 4-3.
Justin Grimm (1-2) entered to pitch the 12th and allowed a leadoff single to Jhonny Peralta, then walked Allen Craig and Yadier Molina with one out to load the bases. Garcia stepped in as a pinch hitter and was hit in the elbow on the fourth pitch of the at-bat to record his first career RBI.
Seth Maness (1-2) earned the win for pitching a scoreless 12th inning for the Cardinals.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Cardinals and Cubs split six previous meetings this season coming into this series.