In a pivotal matchup, the Chicago Cubs (47-33) face off against the St. Louis Cardinals (44-37) today in St. Louis, with a chance to even the series after their recent 8-0 triumph. Shota Imanaga returns from injury for the Cubs, aiming to leverage his impressive 2.82 ERA against the Cardinals' Andre Pallante, who holds a 4.48 ERA. The Cubs are at a critical junction, having lost five of their last seven, while the Cardinals boast a solid 7-2 record in their last nine outings, winning their previous two series. Today's game promises high stakes as both teams vie for supremacy in the tightly contested NL Central.