Hello and welcome to another edition of 'Live-Blogging on Shish on Baseball'. This Afternoon it is Game 4 of the Atlanta Braves taking on St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals took the first game by a score of 7-6. While the Braves have won the last two, both by the score of 3-1. The Braves will turn to Dallas Keuchel. While the Cardinals will throw Dakota Hudson, to stave off elimination. 

It is Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals, on now. 

​Starting Lineups:
Atlanta Braves:
​1. Ronald Acuna, Jr., CF
2. Ozzie Albies, 2B
3. Freedie Freeman, 1B
4. Josh Donaldson, 3B
5. Nick Markakis, LF
6. Matt Joyce, RF
7. Brian McCann, C
8. Dansby Swanson, SS
9. Dallas Keuchel, P

St. Louis Cardinals:
1. Dexter Fowler, CF
2. Kolten Wong, 2B
3. Paul Goldscmidt, 1B
4. Marcell Ozuna, LF
5. Yadier Molina, C
6. Matt Carpenter, 3B
7. Tommy Edman, RF
8. Paul DeJong, SS
9. Dakota Hudson, P

Hello and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging on Shish on Baseball’. Tonight it is the Chicago Cubs taking on St. Louis Cardinals, televised by WGN-TV, for the last time in their 72-year run.

Due to the sale of Tribune Media Company sold to Nexstar, Chicago’s Superstation will no longer have sports on its station. The Cubs are the lightning rod of the move, as they have been searching for their own sports network. Finally this past February, the Cubs and Sinclair Broadcasting announced Marquee Sports Network will launch in February 2020.

As for the game, the Cubs are eliminated from Postseason contention and have a lot of uncertainty about the future of the ballclub on the field, after a disappointing 2019 campaign. There is talk about Manager Joe Maddon; who managed the Cubs to 2016 World Series Championship, not returning to the team next year. And then the players have been inconsistent. A lot of questions, for a club who is going to have their own TV Network.

As for the Cardinals, they are going to the Postseason. They are currently leading the N.L. Central by 1 game, with the Postseason-Bound Brewers, on their tail. The Cardinals magic number for N.L. Central is 3 games.
​
Tonight's Starting Pitchers are right-hander Alec Mills for the Cubs and Dakota Hudson for the Cardinals. Mills comes in with a K/BB ratio of 3.67, while averaging 3.55. Meanwhile Hudson comes in with a K/BB ratio of 1.56, while averaging 3.74.

It is Chicago Cubs taking on St. Louis Cardinals, coming up shortly.

Starting Lineups:
Chicago Cubs:
1. Tony Kemp, RF
2. Ben Zobrist, 2B
3. Kyle Schwarber, LF
4. Willson Contrereas, C
5. Ian Happ, 3B
6. Victor Caratini, 1B
7. Nico Hoerner, SS
8. Albert Almora, Jr., CF
9. Alec Mills, P

St. Louis Cardinals:
1. Dexter Fowler, RF
2. Tommy Edman, 2B
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Marcell Ozuna, LF
5. Yadier Molina, C
6. Matt Carpenter, 3B
7. Paul DeJong, SS
8. Harrison Bader, CF
9. Dakota Hudson, P

Hello and welcome to another edition of 'Live Blogging on Shish on Baseball'. Tonight it is Chicago Cubs taking on St. Louis Cardinals. This is the rubber game of a pivotal N.L. Central race. The winner of tonight's game will have sole possession of first place. 

Tonight's Starting Pitchers are left-hander Jon Lester for the Cubs and right-hander Jack Flaherty for the Cardinals. Lester comes in with a K/BB ratio of 4.23, while averaging 4.00 P/PA. While Flaherty comes in with a K/BB ratio of 3.45, while averaging 4.19. 

It is Chicago Cubs taking on St. Louis Cardinals, coming up shortly. 
​
Starting Lineups:
Chicago Cubs:
1. Jason Heyward, CF
2. Nicholas Castellanos, RF
3. Kris Bryant, 3B
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Javier Baez, SS
6. Willson Contreras, C
7. Kyle Schwarber, LF
8. Tony Kemp, 2B
9. Jon Lester, P

St. Louis Cardinals:
1. Tommy Edman, 3B
2. Dexter Fowler, CF
3. Jose Martinez, RF
4. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
5. Paul DeJong, SS
6. Yairo Munoz, LF
7. Matt Wieters, C
8. Kolten Wong, 2B
​9. Jack Flaherty, P

Hello and welcome to another edition of 'Live Blogging on Shish on Baseball'. This Afternoon it is the St. Louis Cardinals taking on Chicago Cubs, in the season finale of the 2018 Regular Season. The Cardinals are eliminated from the Postseason. While the Cubs are tied with the Milwaukee Brewers, for the N.L. Central.

This Afternoon's starting pitchers are right-hander Jack Flaherty for the Cardinals and left-hander Mike Montgomery for the Cubs. Flaherty comes in with a record of 8-8, 3.16 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 3.20 K/BB, and 4.21 P/PA. Meanwhile Montgomery comes in with a record of 5-6, 3.99 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 2.18 K/BB, and 3.67 P/PA.

It is the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs, coming up shortly.

Starting Lineups:
St. Louis Cardinals (88-73):
1. Matt Carpenter, 1B
2. Jose Martinez, RF
3. Paul DeJong, SS
4. Tyler O'Neill, LF
5. Patrick Wisdom, 3B
6. Harrison Bader, 2B
7. Yairo Munoz 2B
8. Francisco Pena, C
9. Jack Flaherty, P
SP: Jack Flaherty (RHP) (8-8, 3.16 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 3.20 K/BB, and 4.21 P/PA)

Chicago Cubs (94-67):
1. Daniel Murphy, 2B
2. Ben Zobrist, RF
3. Javier Baez, SS
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Kris Bryant, 3B
6. Jason Heyward, CF
7. Kyle Schwarber, LF
8. Willson Contreras, C
9. Mike Montgomery, P
SP: Mike Montgomery (LHP) (5-6, 3.99 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 2.18 K/BB, and 3.67 P/PA)

Game Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Il

Top of 1st Inning:
1. Carpenter
2. Martinez
3. DeJong
Mike Montgomery now starting as Cubs Pitcher.
MLB Scores:
First Pitch around 2:22 p.m. CDT.
Carpenter doubles to right field. Runner on 2nd.
Martinez sacrifice bunts to Montgomery. Carpenter advances to 3rd. Runner on 3rd. 1 out.
RBI-SINGLE: DeJong hits an RBI-Single, scoring Carpenter. STL 1, CHC 0
O'Neill reaches into 5-4 fielder's choice. DeJong is out at 2nd base. Runner on 1st. 2 outs.
RBI-SINGLE: Wisdom hits a single to center field. O'Neill scores on fielding error by Heyward. Wisdom reaches on 2nd. Runner on 2nd. STL 2, CHC 0
Bader pops out to Baez. 3 outs.
Cardinals strand a base runner. Score a couple of runs.

Middle of 1st Inning:
STL 2, CHC 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Murphy
2. Zobrist
3. Baez
Jack Flaherty starting as Cardinals Pitcher.
​Murphy draws a walk. Runner on 1st.
Zobrist flies out to Martinez. 1 out.
Jesse Chavez (RHP) warming up in Cubs Bullpen.
Baez reaches into 5-4 fielder’s choice. Murphy is out at 2nd. Runner on 1st. 2 outs.
Baez advances to 2nd on wild pitch by Flaherty. Runner on 2nd.
​Rizzo singles to right field. Baez gets thrown out at home by Martinez. Martinez to Pena. 3 outs.

End of 1st Inning:
STL 2, CHC 0

Top of 2nd Inning:
7. Munoz
8. Pena
9. Flaherty
Montgomery currently at 15 pitches.
Munoz grounds out to Rizzo. Rizzo to Montgomery. 1 out.
Pena hits a ground-ruled double. Runner on 2nd.
Flaherty grounds out to Rizzo, unassisted. Pena advances to 3rd. Runner on 3rd. 2 outs.
Allen Webster (RHP) warming up in Cubs Bullpen.
Carpenter gets called out on strikes. 3 outs.
Cardinals strand a base runner.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
STL 2, CHC 0

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
5. Bryant
6. Heyward
7. Schwarber
Flaherty currently at 19 pitches.
Bryant grounds out to Carpenter, unassisted. 1 out.
​Heyward strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Schwarber gets called out on strikes. 3 outs.
Cubs go down 1-2-3, in their half of 2nd Inning.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
STL 2, CHC 0

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
2. Martinez, 0-0
3. DeJong, 0-1
4. O'Neill, 0-1
Montgomery currently at 28 pitches.
Martinez lines out to Heyward. 1 out.
DeJong doubles to right field. Runner on 2nd.
PITCHING CHANGE: Allen Webster (RHP) replaces Mike Montgomery as Cubs Pitcher.
O'Neill gets called out on strikes. 2 outs.
Wisdom gets hit by at pitch. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Bader flies out to Zobrist. 3 outs.
Cardinals strand a pair of base runners.

Middle of 3rd Inning:
STL 2, CHC 0

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
8. Contreras
9. Webster?
1. Murphy, 0-0
​Contreras lines out to O’Neill. 1 out.
PINCH-HITTING: Victor Caratini pinch-hitting for Allen Webster.
Caratini strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Murphy doubles to center field. Runner on 2nd.
​RBI-TRIPLE: Zobrist hits an RBI-Triple, scoring Murphy. Runner on 3rd. STL 2, CHC 1
CARDINALS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: STL 5, CHC 6
Zobrist scores on wild pitch by Flaherty, while Baez is at-bat. STL 2, CHC 2
Baez draws a walk. Runner on 1st.
​RBI-DOUBLE: Rizzo hits an RBI-Double, scoring Javier Baez. Runner on 2nd. STL 2, CHC 3
Cardinals elect to intentionally walk Bryant. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
PITCHING CHANGE: Chasen Shreve (LHP) replaces Jack Flahety, as Cardinals Pitcher.
RBI-SINGLE: Heyward hits an RBI-Single, scoring Anthony Rizzo. Bryant advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. STL 2, CHC 4
Double barrel action in Cardinals Bullpen.
Schwarber grounds out to Shreve. 3 outs.
Cubs strand a pair of base runners, but score 4 runs.

End of 3rd Inning:
STL 2, CHC 4

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Munoz, 0-1
8. Pena, 1-1
9. Flaherty, 0-1
PITCHING CHANGE: Alec Mills (RHP) replaces Allen Webster as Cubs Pitcher.
Munoz gets called out on strikes. 1 out.
Penz grounds out to Baez. 2 outs.
Garcia strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Cardinals go down 1-2-3, in their half of 4th Inning.

Middle of 4th Inning:
STL 2, CHC 4

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Contreras, 0-1
9. Mills?
1. Murphy, 1-1
MLB Scores:
PITCHING CHANGE: Austin Gomber (LHP) replaces Chasen Shreve as Cardinals Pitcher.
Contreras draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
​Mills bunt fouls out to Pena. 1 out.
Murphy flies out to Martinez. 2 outs.
Zobrist gets called out on strikes. 3 outs.
Cubs strand a base runner.

End of 4th Inning:
STL 2, CHC 4

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Carpenter, 1-2
2. Martinez, 0-1
3. DeJong, 2-2
Mills currently at 16 pitches.
​Carpenter flies out to Schwarber. 1 out.
Martinez draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
CUBS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: STL 5, CHC 5
Carl Edwards, Jr. (RHP) warming up in Cubs Bullpen.
DeJong pops out to Mills. 2 outs.
O'Neill strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Cardinals strand a base runner. 

Middle of 5th Inning:
STL 2, CHC 4

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Baez, 0-1
4. Rizzo, 2-2
5. Bryant, 0-1
​Baez singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
Rizzo doubles to right field. Runner on 2nd.
CARDINALS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: STL 4, CHC 5
RBI-DOUBLE: Bryant hits an RBI-Double, scoring Baez and Rizzo. STL 2, CHC 6
Tyler Weeb (LHP) warming up in Cardinals Bullpen. 
Heyward grounds out to Carpenter, unassisted. Bryant advances to 3rd. Runner on 3rd. 1 out.
PINCH-HITTING: Albert Almora, Jr. flies out to Martinez. 2 outs.
HOME RUN: Contreras hits a 2-run home run off Austin Gomber. STL 2, CHC 8
Mills gets called out on strikes. 3 outs.
Cubs get 4 more runs. 

End of 5th Inning:
STL 2, CHC 8

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Wisdom, 1-1
6. Bader, 0-2
7. Munoz, 0-2
Mills currently at 35 pitches.
​DEFENSIVE SWITCHES: Albert Almora Jr. stays in the game to play center field. Heyward moves from center to right field. Zobrist moves from right field. to left field. 
Wisdom doubles to left center field. Runner on 2nd.
Bader draws a base on balls. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
PITCHING CHANGE: Carl Edwards, Jr. (RHP) replaces Alec Mills as Cubs Pitcher. STL 2, CHC 8
​Wisdom and Bader move 90 feet, with a wild pitch by Edwards. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
RBI-SINGLE: Munoz hits an RBI-Single, scoring Wisdom and Bader. STL 4, CHC 8
Randy Rosario (LHP) warming up in Cubs Bullpen.
DOUBLE PLAY: Pena grounds into 4-6-3 double play. 2 outs.
PINCH-HITTING: Greg Garcia pinch-hitting for Austin Gomber. 
Garcia draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
PITCHING CHANGE: Randy Rosario (LHP) replaces Carl Edwards, Jr. as Cubs Pitcher. Runner on 1st. 2 outs. STL 4, CHC 8
​Carpenter grounds out to Murphy. 3 outs.
Cardinals strand a base runner. But score 2 runs.

Middle of 6th Inning:
STL 4, CHC 8

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Murphy, 1-2
2. Zobrist, 1-3
3. Baez, 1-3
PITCHING CHANGE: Tyler Webb (LHP) replaces Austin Gomber, as Cubs Pitcher.
Murphy strikes out swinging. 1 out.
'Zobrist flies out to Bader. 2 outs.
Baez doubles to right field. Runner on 2nd.
Rizzo draws a base on balls. Runners on 1st & 2nd. 
PITCHING CHANGE: Dakota Hudson (RHP) replaces Tyler Webb, as Cardinals Pitcher.
Bryant reaches on fielding error by Hudson. Baez scores. Rizzo advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. STL 4, CHC 9
Heyward draws a walk. Bryant advances to 2nd. Bases Loaded. 
​Almora hits an RBI-Single, scoring Rizzo. Bryant and Heyward advance 90 feet. STL 4, CHC 10
Contreras strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Cubs strand the bases loaded, but scored 2 runs.

End of 6th Inning:
STL 4, CHC 10

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Martinez, 0-1
3. DeJong, 2-3
4. O'Neill, 0-3
MLB Scores:
PITCHING CHANGE: Brandon Kintzler (RHP) replaces Randy Rosario as Cubs Pitcher.
DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: David Bote replaces Daniel Murphy at 3rd Base.
DEFENSIVE SWITCHES: Kris Bryant moves from 3rd base to left field. While Ben Zobrist moves from left field to 2nd Base. 
Martinez singles to left center field. Runner on 1st.
DeJong strikes out swinging. 1 out.
O'Neill singles to right field. Martinez advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st and 2nd.
Steve Cishek (RHP) warming up in Cubs Bullpen.
Wisdom strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Bader hits an infield single to shortstop. Martinez and O'Neill advance 90 feet. Bases Loaded.
PITCHING CHANGE: Steve Cishek (RHP) replaces Brandon Kintzler as Cubs Pitcher. STL 4, CHC 10
​Munoz gets hit by a pitch. Everybody moves 90 feet. Martinez scores. STL 5, CHC 10
Pena gets called out on strikes. 3 outs.
Cardinals leave the bases loaded. But score 1 run. 

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Cishek?
1. Bote
2. Zobrist
PINCH-HITTING: Tommy La Stella pinch-hitting Steve Cishek. 
PITCHING CHANGE: Daniel Poncedeleon (RHP) replaces Daniel Hudson as Cardinals Pitcher.
Baez grounds out to Munoz. 2 outs.
Brewers defeat Tigers 11-0
Zobrist grounds out to Munoz. 3 outs.
Cubs go down 1-2-3, in their half of 7th Inning.

Middle of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Poncedeleon
1. Carpenter, 1-4
2. Martinez, 1-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Jaime Garcia (LHP) replaces Steve Cishek as Cubs Pitcher.
​PINCH-HITTING: Edmundo Sosa pinch-hitting for Daniel Poncedeleon.
Sosa flies out to Heyward. 1 out.
Carpenter grounds out off Rizzo, Zobrist to Garcia. 2 outs.
Martinez hits an infield single to Baez. Runner on 1st.
O'Neill draws a base on balls. Martinez advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Jesse Chavez (RHP) warming up in Cubs Bullpen.
CUBS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: STL 5, CHC 4
O'Neill flies out to Heyward at the Warning Track. 3 outs.
Cardinals strand a couple of base runners.

Middle of 8th Inning:
STL 5, CHC 10

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Baez, 2-3
4. Rizzo, 3-3, RBI
5. Bryant, 1-3, 2 RBI
​PITCHING CHANGE: Mike Mayers (RHP) replaces Daniel Poncedeleon as Cardinals Pitcher.
Baez grounds out to Wisdom. 1 out.
Rizzo singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
DOUBLE PLAY: 4-6-3 double play. 3 outs.
Cubs side is retired.

End of 8th Inning:
STL 5, CHC 10

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Wisdom, 2-3
6. Bader, 1-3
7. Munoz, 1-3
PITCHING CHANGE: Jorge De La Rosa (LHP) replaces Jaime Garcia as Cubs Pitcher. 
​Wisdom strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Bader strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Munoz draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
Munoz advanes to 2nd base on defensive indifference. Runner on 2nd.
Pena flies out to Heyward. 3 outs.
The game comes to an end. The 2018 Regular Season comes to an end for the Cardinals. But the Cubs and Brewers will play Game 163. 

Final: 
STL 5, CHC 10
STL: (88-74)
CHC: (95-57)
Cubs clinch tie for N.L. Central Division Lead. Will play Brewers at Noon CDT. 
W: Mills 
L: Flaherty (8-9):
PoG: Zobrist (CHC) 1/5, R, RBI, 2-out single to start the 4-run 3rd Inning, for the Cubs.
ToG: 3:44

Final Thoughts:
The Cardinals started out a blazing, tried to mount a comeback when they are trailing. But the Cubs will not be denied a Game 163. The Cubs are now tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for the N.L. Central. The Cubs and Brewers will play Game 163, Tomorrow Afternoon. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Jr. This has been 'Live Blogging on Shish on Baseball'. Thanks for visiting this page.