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Zambrano, Cubs continue series with Cardinals

Aug 9, 2008 - 10:13 AM St. Louis (64-54) at Chi Cubs (70-46), 3:35 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The "Friendly Confines" of Wrigley Field haven't been too kind to opponents facing Carlos Zambrano.

Courtesy of the ace's prowess at home, the Chicago Cubs have been able to maintain their position as the National League's most feared squad and hope to continue that trend against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.

Zambrano (12-4, 2.76 ERA) hopes to improve on his 6-0 record at home.

Ted Lilly tossed 7 1/3 innings, Jim Edmonds belted two home runs and three relievers combined for stellar outings to help the Cubs spoil the Cardinals' first game at Wrigley Field this season, 3-2, in 11 innings on Friday.

By winning four of his last five decisions, Zambrano has propelled himself into the NL Cy Young Award discussion while ranking among the league leaders in wins, ERA and WHIP (1.21).

On July 4, the 27-year-old stymied St. Louis over six scoreless frames and struck out five en route to a 2-1 victory. Over the past three seasons, Zambrano is 7-0 with a 1.48 ERA in 10 starts against the Cardinals.

St. Louis will counter with Todd Wellemeyer (8-4, 4.01), who is coming off an effective effort on August 3 in which he held the Philadelphia Phillies to one run and four hits in six innings, but didn't factor in the decision.

The 29-year-old righthander has held opponents to two runs or less in his last three starts and hasn't lost since July 6. However, he posted a dismal 5.88 ERA in six starts in July and has one win since June 5.

Though suffering from shoddy bullpen work, the Cardinals have managed to stay in the thick of the NL Central Division's race and stand two games back of the wild card-leading Milwaukee Brewers (65-51).

Jason Isringhausen, who has a 5.98 ERA and seven blown saves in 19 chances, has reportedly lost his job as the team's closer. Meanwhile, Ryan Franklin has coughed up three consecutive save opportunities, thus forcing manager Tony La Russa's hand to name rookie Chris Perez the interim closer.

Perez notched the save on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but may return to a middle relief role once Adam Wainwright returns from the disabled list when his injured finger is fully healed.