• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Cubs look to thrive with NL Central lead vs. Cardinals

Aug 18, 2007 - 1:24 PM St Louis (58-61) at Chicago Cubs (62-59) 3:55 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs are finally atop the National League Central. They will try to stay there when they host the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.

The Cubs captured a 2-1 win on Friday to pass the struggling Milwaukee Brewers (62-60), climbing into first place in the Central by one-half game. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Cardinals, who now sit three games off the pace in the division.

Jacque Jones' two-run homer provided the winning margin and continued a hot streak for the much-maligned outfielder, who has been on the trading block since last season. In the month of August, Jones is batting .426 with three homers and 17 RBI.

Chicago will send struggling Sean Marshall (5-6, 4.25 ERA) to the mound on Saturday. The 24-year-old lefthander is 0-2 with a 10.38 ERA in his last three starts, allowing opponents a .393 batting average.

In his four prior starts, Marshall was 1-1 with a 2.31 ERA. He has faced St. Louis twice in his career, going 0-0 with a 5.06 ERA.

The Cardinals will counter with Anthony Reyes (2-11, 5.48). The 25-year-old righthander began the season 0-10 but has pitched well lately, going 2-2 with a 3.10 ERA while holding opponents to a .216 batting average over his last five starts.

In four career games - three starts - against the Cubs, however, Reyes is 0-4 with a 5.40 ERA.