Milwaukee Brewers (47-33) at Chicago Cubs (39-40), 2:20 p.m.
(Sports Network) - The National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers shoot
for their sixth straight series win today, when they wrap up a three-game set
with the division-rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
The Brewers lost the opener of this series on Friday, but rebounded with a
13-4 pounding of the Cubs yesterday afternoon. Ryan Braun hit a two-run homer
and went 4-for-5 with four RBI to lead the way, as the Brewers extended their
lead over Chicago in the NL Central to 7 1/2 games.
Craig Counsell homered and Prince Fielder added three RBI for Milwaukee, which
has won 13 of its last 16 games. Milwaukee starter Ben Sheets won his sixth
straight decision, allowing four runs on six hits with one walk and a season-
high 11 strikeouts in eight innings of work.
Dave Bush gets the nod for the Brewers on Sunday and he is 6-6 with a 5.06
earned run average in 16 games (15 starts) this season.
Bush has won three straight decisions and recorded the victory his last time
out in a relief role. Bush pitched two shutout innings during a 6-3 triumph
over Houston on June 27 at Miller Park.
The right-hander owns a 1-4 record with a 4.15 ERA in seven career starts
against the Cubs. He is 0-2, however, with a 7.50 earned run average in two
outings versus Chicago this season.
Chicago had its seven-game winning streak stopped with Saturday's loss. Mark
DeRosa drove in two runs for the Cubs, while starting pitcher Sean Marshall
was tagged for seven runs -- six earned -- on seven hits in just two innings
for the loss.
The Cubs will hand the ball to Jason Marquis this afternoon and he is 5-4 with
a 3.46 ERA in 16 starts this season.
Marquis, though, is 0-3 over his previous nine trips to the rubber and did not
factor in the outcome his last time out on June 25 against Colorado. Marquis
was reached for three runs in 5 2/3 innings of a 10-9 win over the Rockies.
The veteran right-hander is 4-6 with a 4.23 ERA in 14 career games (12 starts)
against Milwaukee. Marquis faced the Brewers on June 4 this season and did not
post a decision, yielding two runs -- one earned -- in 5 1/3 frames of a 7-2
Chicago victory.
Chicago is 6-5 against the Brewers this season, including a 2-3 record in the
friendly confines of Wrigley Field.