A must win today.

[hornetfb52]

Seems a bit dramatic.

[CorneliusWolfe]

Not a must win, but it would be a bit of a disappointment to finish with a split after taking the first two.

The advantage in the extra home game in the season series could be crucial in a race that could come down to tiebreaker. If we finish a game back or lose tiebreaker then today might have proven must-win, so I hope it’s treated as such by the players and they play with a killer instinct.

A split is a win for the Cubs and they leave town feeling good. Cards take 3/4 and 2.5 back creates more pressure.

Milwaukee has the same advantage over us too. We played 4 at their house but no 4 gamer at Busch. Why is this even a thing with the schedule? If there must be an imbalance, do it with inter-league.

[Jatalk]

I’ll put it in the very important win category. Just shy of “must”. Need to win series against them and Brewers. In this case next three are in Chicago putting more importance on this win. As I said on other post if I was the overpaid GM I’m making decisions on how I approach the trade deadline in quick order.

[sikeston bulldog2]

I’ll put it in the very important win category. Just shy of “must”. Need to win series against them and Brewers. In this case next three are in Chicago putting more importance on this win. As I said on other post if I was the overpaid GM I’m making decisions on how I approach the trade deadline in quick order.

Correct.

[Futuregm2]

Important game, maybe not a must win, but an important game. It would be nice leaving this series down 2.5 rather than back at 4.5. We did the minimum we needed to do. Now get the series win.

[3dender]

Seems a bit dramatic.

[illiniriles]

Hi fellas. Points well taken. Of course i knew it was hyperbole. However, the Cubs are CLEARLY the favorites to win the division this year. We were CLEARLY better than the Cubs in 2015? Molina went down and we were CLEARLY leaking oil at the end of the season. And Joe Madden CLEARLY out managed us. Resulting in them beating us and advancing to the LCS. Must win? All right, maybe not literally. But if we do it, we get some confidence and kind of get in their heads. Just win, baby. GO REDBIRDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[scoutyjones2]

Not a must win, but it would be a bit of a disappointment to finish with a split after taking the first two.

+1 especially when they could have gained ground and end up right back where they started. Splitting the series is what the team you’re chasing hopes for

Yep. Treading water would be disappointing

[Northsider76]

It's not a must win for the Cards or Cubs this early in the season. I do think a win would give a psychological boost to either team.

For the Cubs, it would represent a turn around from the recent stretch of losses and uneven play. A win for the Cards would give them confidence that they can compete with the club that most believe will win the division this year.

[sikeston bulldog2]

What if we were behind in the series 2-1. More of a must win?

[82birds]

Not a must win, but it would be a bit of a disappointment to finish with a split after taking the first two.

this ^

[illiniriles]

And we gave up a big insurance run on a High School play. Come on! We've all run it, and had it run against us. Totally unacceptable. And clearly, they're better than us.

[icon]

162 game season? True, but if we lose today, the first 2 wins of the series will have meant nothing. Seems like we played with no heart last night. I know I'm going to butcher his name, but Shoda Imanagua is coming back for the Cubs on like a 75 pitch count limit. He throws high fastballs in the low to mid nineties. Should be ready for that and knock him around. Need to get this win to kinda get into their heads like they did to us in 2015? when we won over 100 and they beat us in the playoffs. Madden managed the Cubs perfectly that year. It's time for Marmol to step up for the Redbirds. Just win, baby.

Very few lineups knock Imanaga round. He has a deceptive hesitation in his motion, and his pitches move, including his above average splitter. The guy has a sub 3 ERA for good reason.,

[Goldfan]

Never challenge Oli with a Must Win

[vegascardsfan5890]

Did we win?

[Cardly]

Actually they seemed quite comfortable with a split. They played like two completely different team as they split the series. Well orchestrated!