Watch St. Louis Cardinals Vs. Chicago Cubs Game 4 Live Online: Cards Must Win To Survive, Streaming
Chicago Cubs fans hoping for their biggest thrill in more than a decade will want to watch live online when the Cubbies attempt to eliminate their rival, the St. Louis Cardinals, by winning Game 4 of the National League Division Series Tuesday afternoon — a win that would lift the Chicago north siders into the NL Championship Series, and just four wins away from a World Series, for the first time since 2003.
The Cubs lead the NLDS 2-1, after an explosion of six home runs, including back-to-back jacks by Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo in the fifth inning, led Chicago to overcome a rare shaky start by Jake Arrieta — who came into the game on a streak of 31 scoreless innings — to top St. Louis 8-6 on Monday in Wrigley Field.
In 2003, the Cubs advanced to the NLCS and were leading the series 3-2 over the Florida Marlins in the eighth inning of Game 6 when a fan named Steve Bartman apparently interfered with Cubs outfielder Moises Alou on a foul fly ball.
The Cubs were leading the game 3-0 at the time, but after the “Bartman incident,” they melted down and allowed eight runs in the inning, going on to lose the game, as well as Game 7, while the Marlins went on to beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.
The Cubs did beat the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS that year — still their only series win in 14 trips to the postseason since they last won a World Series, 107 years ago in 1908.
But to nail down a second postseason series victory and get to the NLCS this year, at least without being forced to win a decisive Game 5 in St. Louis on Thursday, the Cubs will need a stellar outing from 33-year-old journeyman starter Jason Hammel, in his first full season with the Cubs after pitching for four other clubs in his 10-year career.
Hammel posted just two quality starts in his last 14 outings, with 5.10 second-half ERA. Cardinals batters have had considerable success against Hammel, led by shortstop Jhonny Peralta, who in 25 career plate appearances against Hammel has nine hits, including a pair of homers and two doubles as well, for a 1.179 OPS.
To find out how to watch live online video of the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs NL Divisions Series Game 4, see the streaming link in the final paragraph of this article. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m. Central Time, 4:30 Eastern, and 1:30 Pacific on Tuesday, October 13, at historic Wrigley Field in Chicago.
The Cardinals will try to keep their season alive with veteran John Lackey on the mound, on just three days rest, after stifling the Cubs with 7-and-a-third two-hit shutout innings in a 4-0 St. Louis Game 1 victory.
Whether the 36-year-old, 13-year veteran will retain his effectiveness on short rest, and on the road, remains an open question, but Lackey is the most experienced postseason pitcher on the Cardinals’ staff, with eight trips to the playoffs and appearances in 15 postseason series, including two World Series — ending on the winning side both times.
As a rookie in 2002, Lackey led the Anaheim Angels to the first and only World Series triumph in the history of that franchise. In 2013, he was an integral part of the Boston Red Sox starting rotation that nailed down that team’s third championship in 10 seasons.
The Cubs’ Chris Coghlan has had the most sustained success against Lackey of any Chicago hitter, with eight hits and a walk in 20 plate appearances — but in his posted lineup shortly before game time, Cubs Manager Joe Maddon had Coghlan on the bench.
To watch the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs National League Division Series Playoff Game 4 live online, go to the WatchTBS site at this link. Login credentials from a cable or satellite provider will be required to access the live stream. To watch the Cubs vs. Cardinals game on mobile devices, download the WatchTBS app.
[Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com]
[Featured Image: David Banks / Getty Images]
