The St. Louis Cardinals host the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium on Tuesday, July 28, with first pitch scheduled for 7:45 PM ET. Colin Rea gets the ball for Chicago in what shapes up as a meaningful NL Central clash. St. Louis has not yet announced a starting pitcher for the home side, leaving one of the night's biggest storylines unresolved heading into game time. Fans can catch the action on Cardinals.TV Presented by bet365, Marquee Sports Network, TBS (out-of-market only), or listen on KMOX 1120 AM/104.1 FM and 104.3 The Score.

Cubs Starting Pitcher: Colin Rea Takes the Mound

Colin Rea draws the assignment for Chicago. The Cardinals have not released their own starter, so the pitching matchup remains incomplete as of this preview. That uncertainty puts extra weight on the St. Louis lineup to carry early offensive momentum, regardless of who manager Oliver Marmol ultimately sends out to face Rea.

Cardinals Lineup for Tuesday Night

St. Louis rolls out a full lineup card with some interesting construction worth noting:

• 1. JJ Wetherholt, 2B — The leadoff spot belongs to the second baseman, putting his on-base skills at the top of the order.
• 2. Jordan Walker, RF — Walker hits second, a spot that keeps him in prime RBI and run-scoring position all night.
• 3. Alec Burleson, 1B — Burleson slots into the three-hole at first base.
• 4. Iván Herrera, DH — Herrera gets the cleanup designation as the designated hitter, a sign of the offensive trust placed in the young catcher-turned-DH.
• 5. Lars Nootbaar, LF — Nootbaar hits fifth in left field.
• 6. Masyn Winn, SS — The shortstop bats sixth.
• 7. Nathan Church, CF — Church patrols center and hits seventh.
• 8. José Fermín, 3B — Fermín fills in at third base in the eight spot.
• 9. Jimmy Crooks, C — Crooks rounds out the order behind the dish.

Keys to Watch on Tuesday Night

The Cardinals Starter Reveal

The biggest question mark is who St. Louis sends to the mound. Until that name is confirmed, the pitching matchup cannot be fully evaluated. Watch for a pregame announcement — the choice could signal where the Cardinals are in a rotation cycle or whether an opener is on the table.

Wetherholt and Walker at the Top

JJ Wetherholt leading off and Jordan Walker batting second gives the Cardinals a young, right-side-of-the-infield presence at the top of the order. How those two set the table for the middle of the lineup — particularly for Burleson and Herrera — will go a long way toward determining whether St. Louis can generate consistent offensive pressure against Rea.

Iván Herrera in the Cleanup Spot

Batting Herrera fourth as the DH is a statement of confidence. His performance in that role against a Cubs pitching staff will be one of the more interesting individual storylines of the evening.

Prediction

With the Cardinals lineup intact and a full card set, St. Louis has the offensive pieces to do damage at Busch Stadium. The home crowd on a Tuesday summer night in St. Louis can be a factor, and the lineup construction suggests the Cardinals are going for it. Until the starting pitcher is known, there is a real variable on the mound — but the lineup gives them a chance. Cardinals 5, Cubs 3.