• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Cubs eyeing sweep of Brewers

Jul 31, 2008 - 10:20 AM Chicago Cubs (64-44) at Milwaukee (60-48) 2:05 p.m. EDT

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- A showdown series between the top teams in the National League Central Division has turned lopsided.

The Chicago Cubs try to sweep the Milwaukee Brewers and extend their lead atop the NL Central when the teams conclude a four-game set on Thursday.

After the Brewers acquired reigning American League Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia from the Cleveland Indians earlier this month, many believed that they had the ability to supplant the Cubs and seize control of the division.

However, Chicago has all but vanquished those thoughts in the first three games. The Cubs claimed a 6-4 victory over Sabathia and the Brewers on Monday before pounding ace Ben Sheets for six runs in 5 1/3 innings en route to a six-run triumph on Tuesday.

Chicago continued to impress on Wednesday as Ryan Dempster held Milwaukee to one run and five hits in seven innings while Ryan Theriot drove in three runs to lead the Cubs to a 7-2 victory.

Following the Brewers' acquisition of Sabathia, the Cubs countered by trading for righthander Rich Harden, who tries to help Chicago complete the sweep.

Harden (0-1, 1.04 ERA) has yet to earn a win with the Cubs despite three strong outings. The former Oakland Athletics ace, Harden has allowed two runs and eight hits while striking out 30 in 17 1/3 innings.

Dave Bush (5-8, 4.51) counters for Milwaukee, which is four games behind the Cubs and tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for second place.

Bush has pitched well at home, posting a 4-2 record and 2.85 ERA in 10 starts at Miller Park. The 28-year-old righthander yielded four runs and nine hits in five innings on Saturday, but did not factor in the decision as the Brewers claimed a 6-4 victory over the Houston Astros.