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Marquis, Wellemeyer to face former teams in finale

May 4, 2008 - 2:48 PM Chicago Cubs (18-12) at St. Louis (19-12) 8:05 pm EDT

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- The absence of Aramis Ramirez did not hold the Chicago Cubs back from defeating the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. However, they hope he can return on Sunday as they look to reclaim the top spot in their division.

The Cubs and Cardinals meet in the rubber game of a three-game series at Busch Stadium.

Ramirez, who is hitting .276 with six homers and 22 RBI, missed Saturday's 9-3 win after being hit on the wrist by a pitch in Friday's 5-3, 11-inning loss. The absence of Chicago's cleanup hitter did not appear to make much difference to the majors' most prolific offense as seven of the Cubs' 12 hits went for extra bases in the victory.

The Cubs, who trail the Cardinals by one-half game entering Sunday, had held the lead in the National League Central for 10 straight days until back-to-back losses on Thursday to Milwaukee and in Friday's opener.

In the series finale, Chicago will turn to former Cardinal Jason Marquis (1-1, 4.45 ERA), who is 4-1 with a 3.27 ERA in seven career games - five starts - against St. Louis.

The righthander, who spent three seasons with the Cardinals from 2004-2006, took the loss in Tuesday's 10-7 setback to Milwaukee when he surrendered five runs and 10 hits over five innings.

The Cardinals counter with ex-Cub Todd Wellemeyer (2-1, 4.14), who spent the first three years of his career in Chicago before being traded to Florida in 2006. He will be starting against his former team for the first time in his career.

He took the loss in Monday's 4-3 setback to the Cincinnati Reds, allowing four runs and seven hits over six frames.