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Zambrano, Cubs set to face second ace in as many days

Jul 29, 2008 - 12:48 PM MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- On Monday, the Chicago Cubs showed that the Milwaukee Brewers can be beaten when CC Sabathia starts. One day later, they'll try to take down another ace.

The Cubs attempt to increase their lead atop the National League Central on Tuesday when they continue their four-game set against Ben Sheets and the Brewers

Chicago, which held a 4 1/2-game lead in the division at the All-Star break, stumbled out of the gate to start the second half of the season, going 4-6 entering Monday's series opener. The slow start allowed Milwaukee to surge to within a game of the division lead.

But the Cubs doubled their margin atop the NL Central on Monday when they scored four runs - three earned - against Sabathia after the lefthander had allowed six combined in winning his first four starts with the Brewers.

Then, after the Brewers evened the score at 4-4, Derrek Lee and Mark DeRosa each had RBI hits in the ninth to send Chicago to victory.

Things don't get any easier against Sheets (10-3, 2.87 ERA), who has won each of his last three decisions against the Cubs. However, the righthander posted his second straight no-decision in his last outing, allowing three runs - two earned - and four hits over seven frames in the Brewers' 4-3 comeback win over St. Louis.

The Cubs will answer with their own ace, Carlos Zambrano (11-4, 2.96), who will be seeking his fourth win in five starts. The righthander struck out six in Thursday's 6-3 triumph over Florida, permitting two runs and six hits over seven innings.