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Kazmir and Dempster square off as Rays host Cubs

Jun 17, 2008 - 1:57 PM CHI CUBS (45-25) at TAMPA BAY (40-29), 7:10 pm EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- A pair of potential All-Stars square off when the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago Cubs meet for the first time ever in interleague play.

Scott Kazmir (6-2, 1.74 ERA) takes the mound as the surprising Rays look for their sixth win in their last seven home games. The 24-year-old lefthander retired the first 14 batters he faced, struck out 10 and was cruising along before suffering a 4-2 defeat to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim last Wednesday.

It was the first loss in seven starts for the Tampa Bay ace.

The Rays, who have the third best record in the American League, suffered a 9-3 loss to Florida to see their five-game home winning streak end.

The Cubs hand the ball to Ryan Dempster (8-2, 2.81), who comes off hurling a four-hitter with 11 strikeouts last Wednesday in a 7-2 win over Atlanta. It was the ninth career complete game for the righthander, who has won has last three decisions.

However, Dempster is 0-2 away from Wrigley Field despite a 2.59 ERA on the road.

The Cubs, who have the best record in the majors, can even their road record (17-18) after they've won their last two series on the road, including taking two of three in Toronto over the weekend.