Molina questionable for Game 4 with ailing thumb

The St. Louis Cardinals could be without their field general for a do-or-die Game 4 at Wrigley Field on Tuesday.

Catcher Yadier Molina appeared to aggravate his previously injured left thumb on a swing early in Monday's 8-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs, and later left the game in the fifth inning in favor of a pinch hitter.

"For him to come out, I think people that follow our team know that's significant," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said postgame.

Molina's game-calling ability is unprecedented, and Game 4 starter John Lackey has thrived with the veteran backstop behind the plate the season. The hurler tossed 7 1/3 scoreless frames under Molina's guidance in Game 1 of the NLDS series, and the duo would surely like to benefit from the chemistry they've maintained all season long.

The Cubs lead the best-of-five series 2-1.