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Dempster, Cubs go for series win vs. Marlins

Aug 17, 2008 - 6:38 AM Chi Cubs (75-48) at Florida (64-60) 1:10 p.m. EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs will be looking to bounce back from a rare loss when they face the Florida Marlins on Sunday.

The Marlins snapped a three-game slide and ended the Cubs' five-game winning streak on Saturday as Anibal Sanchez and five relievers stymied the National League's top-ranked offense en route to a 2-1 victory.

The Marlins' win kept them with 3 1/2 games of the New York Mets (67-56) in the NL East.

Since dropping two in a row to Florida at Wrigley Field on July 25 and 26, the Cubs are 15-4 and have surged to a 4 1/2-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers (71-53) in the NL Central.

Ryan Dempster (13-5, 2.92 ERA) will try to help Chicago avoid consecutive losses for the first time this month when he takes the mound. The converted closer has been on fire, going 3-1 with a 1.65 ERA since the All-Star break.

Dempster did not factor in the decision in a start against the Marlins on July 25, allowing one run and two hits in six innings.

Florida will counter with rookie Chris Volstad (4-2, 3.03). The 21-year-old righthander has won each of his last two starts and has allowed more than three runs once in seven career appearances - six starts.

Volstad's lone no-decision came against the Cubs on July 26, when he allowed two runs in six innings.