One of the fiercest rivalries in the National League resumes this evening, as the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals meet for the opener of a three-game series at Busch Stadium.
The Cardinals are first in the NL Central with a five-game lead over Cincinnati.Chicago is 13 1/2 games behind in fifth place.
Chi Cubs has been a disappointment of late, losing all but 3 of their past 10 starts. They have been averaging 5 runs per game during this stretch and 8.6 hits per game. Overall, they are 20-32 facing a St. Louis team with a 34-19 record.
The Cubs start Sean Marshall, 3-3, 5.03 ERA. His last trip was a loss, a 2-1 team loss against the Braves, when he threw 6 innings, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits.
Sidney Ponson will shoot for his fifth straight winning decision when he takes the ball for the Cardinals tonight.
Ponson returned from a stint on the disabled list last Saturday in San Diego and earned the victory after yielding two runs in five innings. The Aruba native is 4-0 with a 2.92 ERA this season.
The 29-year-old right-hander is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in two career starts against the Cubs. Both of those outings have come this season.
I think St. Louis Cardinals win this game by 2 or more again today.