The St. Louis Cardinals head to Wrigley Field on Sunday, August 16 for a 3:15 PM ET clash against the Chicago Cubs, with right-hander Hunter Dobbins taking the mound for St. Louis opposite Chicago's Edward Cabrera. This is a divisional matchup that carries real weight no matter the calendar date — every game between these two clubs matters in the NL Central standings, and the Cardinals need consistent outings from younger arms like Dobbins to find out what they have heading deeper into the season. Catch the action on ABC/ESPN App or listen on KMOX 1120 AM/104.1 FM.

Cardinals vs. Cubs Starting Pitchers: Dobbins vs. Cabrera

Hunter Dobbins gets the ball for St. Louis. The Cardinals have been working to define their rotation down the stretch, and starts like Sunday's are exactly the kind of audition that matters. Dobbins will be tested immediately by a Cubs lineup that is genuinely dangerous from top to bottom.

Edward Cabrera draws the assignment for Chicago. He will need to be sharp against a Cardinals lineup that is built to make pitchers work through multiple plate appearances and grind at-bats.

Cardinals Lineup at Wrigley Field

• JJ Wetherholt, 2B
• Iván Herrera, DH
• Alec Burleson, 1B
• Jordan Walker, RF
• Joshua Báez, LF
• Nathan Church, CF
• Masyn Winn, SS
• Jimmy Crooks, C
• Blaze Jordan, 3B

Cubs Lineup

• Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
• Seiya Suzuki, RF
• Alex Bregman, 3B
• Ian Happ, LF
• Nico Hoerner, 2B
• Pedro Ramírez, 1B
• Dansby Swanson, SS
• Michael Conforto, DH
• Miguel Amaya, C

Keys to Watch for the Cardinals

Dobbins Must Neutralize the Top of the Cubs Order

Pete Crow-Armstrong leadoff into Seiya Suzuki and Alex Bregman is a legitimate problem for any starting pitcher. Bregman hitting third gives Chicago real run-production potential early. Dobbins will need to establish his fastball and work efficiently through that stretch of the lineup or this game can get away from St. Louis fast at the Friendly Confines.

Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson Need to Produce

Walker hitting cleanup and Burleson slotted third gives the Cardinals a credible run-scoring core. If Cabrera is on his game, the Cardinals will need those two to do damage when opportunities arise. A quiet afternoon from that pair makes it an uphill climb.

Masyn Winn on the Bases

Winn at shortstop and hitting seventh gives the Cardinals a threat even in the lower portion of the lineup. His ability to get on base and create pressure matters, especially if the Cardinals need to manufacture runs late against a Cubs bullpen that will be protecting whatever lead Cabrera builds.

Prediction

This is a winnable game for St. Louis, but it requires a quality outing from Dobbins — six-plus innings with three runs or fewer — and timely hitting from Walker and Burleson. The Cubs lineup is deep enough to exploit any early mistakes. Expect a competitive, close game. Cardinals 4, Cubs 3.