The Chicago Cubs haven't swept a series all season, but they'll have a chance to do so Wednesday — against a first-place team, no less — when they wrap up a quick two-game set with the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs won Tuesday's opener 2-1 behind a strong outing from Travis Wood and a two-run homer from Nate Schierholtz. Chicago has won two straight and has a chance to match its season-long three-game winning streak.
The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for St. Louis, which saw its National League Central lead trimmed to two games over Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Chicago's starting pitchers continue to excel, as the rotation boasts a 3.41 ERA, but the Cardinals' starters have been even better with an MLB-best 2.22 ERA. Both teams have had trouble with the back end of the bullpen, but the Cubs' relievers did their job Tuesday, as Carlos Marmol recorded four outs and Kevin Gregg stayed perfect in five save chances.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis), Comcast Sports Network Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Jake Westbrook (2-1, 1.07 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Carlos Villanueva (1-2, 2.85)
Westbrook has started the season with five straight quality starts, including a five-hit shutout and four outings in which he has allowed one or zero earned runs. He picked up the win last time out, holding Milwaukee to one run on six hits over six innings. Westbrook is 5-2 with a 4.14 ERA in eight starts against the Cubs, including a 2-0 mark last season.
Villanueva's hot start has given way to consecutive losses, and he has allowed four runs in each of his last two outings. He gave up four runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings last time out against Cincinnati. Villanueva has made 25 appearances (seven starts) against the Cardinals and is 5-3 with a 3.10 ERA against St. Louis.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cardinals C Yadier Molina is riding an eight-game hitting streak. Molina is 3-for-18 (.167) against Villanueva.
2. The Cubs have not swept a series from the Cardinals since a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field from Sept. 13-15, 2010.
3. Chicago has lost nine games in which it held the lead at some point, and St. Louis has lost seven.