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Slumping Brewers running out of time in NL Central race

Sep 24, 2007 - 2:18 PM St Louis (73-82) at Milwaukee (79-76) 8:05 pm EDT

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Brewers begin their final homestand of the season the furthest they have been out of first place all year.

The Brewers, who have lost four of their last five games, hope to improve their chances of making their first playoff appearance in 25 years when they take on the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a three-game series on Monday.

Milwaukee is currently 3 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central (83-73), which marks the first time they have been more than 2 1/2 games out of first all season.

The Brewers will send Dave Bush (11-10, 5.20 ERA) to the hill in hopes of turning the team's recent skid around. The righthander is winless in his last three starts, giving up 13 runs in 11 innings. Bush also holds an 0-3 record with a 9.00 ERA against the Cardinals in his career.

The Cardinals will counter with Adam Wainwright (13-11, 3.60) on the mound. The team leader in wins has lost his last two decisions, despite surrending just five earned runs in his last 21 innings.

The 26-year-old defeated the Brewers on August 16 in his only start against Milwaukee this season. Wainwright struck out a career-high eight over seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits.

St. Louis has won six straight games against Milwaukee this season, including a three-game sweep at Miller Park on August 14-16.

The Brewers have failed to score more than four runs in each of their last five games.