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All-Star hurlers meet early in Cards-Cubs finale

Jul 14, 2013 - 2:37 PM (Sports Network) - Even though Adam Wainwright was named to his second All- Star team, it's possible the St. Louis Cardinals right-hander will not pitch at Citi Field on Tuesday night.

The same could be said for Chicago Cubs lefty Travis Wood, who was named to his first All-Star squad.

Those two pitchers will face off Sunday night in the finale of a four-game series at Wrigley Field.

Wainwright tries to win a third straight decision and become the National League's first 13-game winner. Also, he's unbeaten in his career at Wrigley Field, going 5-0 with a 3.77 ERA in 14 career appearances (9 starts). He's 6-6 in 28 games (19 starts) for his career versus the Cubs, but 0-2 over his last five outings. His lone start against the Cubs this season came June 18 at Busch Stadium as he threw seven innings in a 4-2 loss.

Wainwright is 2-0 over his last three starts. He limited Houston to a run over seven frames in a victory Tuesday.

All-Star pitchers who perform on Sunday can either pitch a maximum of one inning in the Midsummer Classic or opt out of the game and a replacement can be named.

Wood aims to stretch his unbeaten string to five consecutive starts. Wood, who is 1-0 in his last four outings, is coming off a victory Tuesday against the Angels when he limited them to four hits and a pair of runs over 6 2/3 innings. He's 3-3 with a 4.59 ERA in eight contests against the Cardinals.

St. Louis enters the day tied with the Pittsburgh Pirates atop the NL Central.

Last night, Luis Valbuena and Alfonso Soriano homered in Chicago's 6-4 win. Starlin Castro and Dave Sappelt added an RBI apiece for the Cubs, who went 5-for-13 with runners in scoring position to win for the sixth time in eight games.

Chicago starter Matt Garza (6-1) allowed two runs on 10 hits over 6 2/3 innings to pick up his fifth consecutive victory. He's been part of trade rumors leading to the non-waiver movement deadline on July 31.

"I've been through it so much that I'm just oblivious to it until something happens," Garza said. "It's stressful, but at the same time I have a great outlet. I get to pitch every five days."

Jon Jay went 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored for the Cardinals, who went 3-for-11 with RISP. Matt Carpenter, Allen Craig and Tony Cruz each knocked in a run.

"That was a tough one," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "I imagine people are tired of hearing me say we keep fighting, but I'm not tired of saying it because it's true."

Lance Lynn (11-4) got the start for St. Louis and gave up six runs -- five earned -- on 10 hits over 4 1/3 innings.

The Cardinals lost for just the second time in eight games.

St. Louis won three out of four when these teams met in Missouri from June 17-20.