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Myers, Phils hope to cool red-hot Cubs

Aug 30, 2008 - 10:17 AM Philadelphia (73-62) at Chi Cubs (85-50) 3:55 p.m. EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs are running away in the National League Central. The Philadelphia Phillies are trying to hang on in the NL East.

The Phillies will be looking to halt the Cubs' seven-game winning streak on Saturday.

Chicago has built its lead in the Central to 6 1/2 games over the Milwaukee Brewers (78-56) with its recent seven-game spurt and 21-5 record this month. The Cubs have outscored their opponents 158-92 in August, averaging 6.1 runs per game.

Philadelphia is locked in a battle with the New York Mets (75-60) atop the East, trailing by two games. The Phillies have lost three in a row and are two games into a 10-game road trip that ends next weekend with three games against the Mets.

Chicago overcame a two-run deficit with single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings on Friday, with Alfonso Soriano's solo blast providing the difference in the 3-2 win.

Brett Myers (7-10, 4.49 ERA) will try to get Philadelphia back on track. The veteran righthander has been one of the best pitchers in the league since returning on July 23 from a minor league demotion, going 4-1 with a 1.66 ERA in his last seven starts.

Myers earned a win against the Cubs on April 11, allowing three runs in eight innings. He is 6-3 with a 2.63 ERA in 12 appearances - eight starts - against Chicago in his career.

The Cubs will counter with veteran lefthander Ted Lilly (13-7, 4.23), who is 4-1 with a 3.25 ERA since the All-Star break. Lilly earned a win against the Pirates his last time out but has struggled against the Phillies in the past, owning a 1-2 record with a 5.19 ERA in three starts.