What happened: The Cardinals wished their fans a happy Fourth of July on Saturday, adding a burst of holiday spirit to a weekend series in Chicago. The greeting landed with St. Louis riding a two-game winning streak and set to face the Cubs later in the day.
Why it matters: The holiday matchup carries real standings weight in the NL Central, with the Cubs at 49-39 and the Cardinals close behind at 46-39. St. Louis opened the series in emphatic fashion on Friday, and the greeting came from the same account that celebrated José Oquendo's birthday earlier in the holiday weekend.
By the numbers: Cubs: 49-39, 5.1 runs scored per game, 4.6 allowed. Cardinals: 46-39, 4.7 scored, 4.5 allowed, winners of four of their last five. Head-to-head: St. Louis won 17-1 in Chicago on July 3 and has taken three of the last four meetings.
What to watch: The Cardinals and Cubs meet again later Saturday in Chicago. A St. Louis win would pull the Cardinals within striking distance of the division lead heading into the season's second half.