The St. Louis Cardinals enter the week tied with the Chicago Cubs at the top of the National League Central and with tonight's opponent Milwaukee just a couple of games behind. To say that this series is huge for both teams would be an understatement, but I'm giving the home team a solid edge here in the series opener.

The Cards have won each of the last four matchups between the two teams and right-hander Dakota Hudson (11-6, 3.82 ERA) is coming off six scoreless innings against Kansas City. As for Milwaukee starter Zach Davies (8-5, 3.74 ERA), he will make his first start since August 2 following a stint on the injured list (back spasms). Davies was 0-3 with an 11.77 ERA prior to hitting the IL and I don't expect him to be sharp in his first start back.

Cardinals are 13-3 in Hudson's last 16 starts and 7-2 in their last 9 overall. Brewers are 1-6 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning record and 4-12 in Davies' last 16 starts vs. a team with a winning record.

10* play on St. Louis Cardinals.