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Brewers hope to continue dominance of Pirates

Aug 31, 2008 - 8:07 AM Milwaukee (79-56) at Pittsburgh (57-78) 1:35 p.m. EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Brewers have been one the major leagues' hottest teams, and the Pittsburgh Pirates have been suffering the consequences.

The leaders in the National League wild-card race go for their ninth straight win over their division rival when the teams meet in the series finale on Sunday.

Winners of 7-of-8 overall, the Brewers have opened up a 5 1/2-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals (74-62) in the quest for the wild-card berth.

A win would give Milwaukee its third straight series sweep over Pittsburgh, which has lost nine straight overall. A loss would give the Pirates their longest losing skid since they dropped 13 straight from June 15-June 28, 2006.

Milwaukee sends CC Sabathia (8-0, 1.59) to the hill, looking to keep his record perfect since joining the club in early July. The lefthander is coming a six-inning effort against the Pirates as he allowed eight hits and one run, striking out five in a 4-3, 12-inning win by the Brewers on Sunday.

Jeff Karstens (2-3, 3.48) will look to end a personal three-game losing streak. After winning his first two starts with the Pirates after coming over from New York in the trade for Damaso Marte and Xavier Nady, the righthander has lost three consecutive starts, posting a 6.75 ERA.

Karstens struggled through his shortest outing last time out, lasting three innings while allowing five runs and six hits in a 12-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs.