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Cubs look to extend playoff push in doubleheader vs. Cards

Sep 15, 2007 - 1:59 PM Chicago Cubs (76-71) at St Louis (69-76) Game One 1:10 pm EDT

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) - The Chicago Cubs will look to further strengthen their playoff position when they take on the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday.

The Cubs took the opener of the crucial four-game series, 5-3, on Friday behind a stellar pitching performance from ace Carlos Zambrano, who threw eight strong innings.

Cliff Floyd hit his eighth home run of the season and Daryle Ward delivered a three-run double in the ninth inning as the Cubs increased their lead atop the National League Central Division to 1 1/2 games over the Milwaukee Brewers (74-72).

Ted Lilly (15-7, 3.85 ERA) will look for his third consecutive win when he takes the mound for the Cubs in the first game of the twinbill.

Lilly faced the Cardinals in his last start on Monday, allowing three runs and five hits in seven innings during the Cubs' 12-3 rout.

The Cardinals, who are six games behind the Cubs in the NL Central, counter with Braden Looper (12-10, 4.70), who struggled during his last start on Saturday after logging back-to-back victories.

The 32-year-old righthander surrendered seven runs - six earned - and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings, but did not factor in the decision of an 9-8 setback to the Arizona Diamondbacks.