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Lilly looks to secure division title for Cubs

Sep 20, 2008 - 10:13 AM ST LOUIS (80-73) AT CHI CUBS (92-60), 3:55pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs won't take the National League Central title for granted. All they have to do is ask last year's New York Mets. Facts are facts, though: the Cubs are one win - or one Milwaukee Brewers loss - away from clinching their second division crown in a row.

A chance comes on Saturday against their fiercest rival as the Cubs host the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cubs had a chance to do it on Friday - provided they beat the Cardinals with ace Carlos Zambrano on the mound and the fading Brewers fell to the Cincinnati Reds. Even though the Brewers (84-70) held up their end of the bargain in the evening, the Cubs' end proved easier said than done. Zambrano was lit up for eight runs in 1 2/3 innings as the Cardinals prevailed, 12-6.

However, the Cubs' hold on first place is more than secure, and they call on a pitcher that the Cardinals haven't been able to touch all year.

Lefthander Ted Lilly (15-9, 4.13 ERA) is coming off a near-no hitter in his last start, when he gave up one run - a seventh-inning single - over seven innings in a 6-1 triumph over the Houston Astros. The Cardinals know the Astros' pain.

Lilly is unbeaten in four starts against the Cards this season, registering a 2.54 ERA over those games and an impressive 1.02 WHIP.

Ten days ago at Busch Stadium, he pitched eight stellar innings, giving up one run and five hits while striking out five without a walk. That marked the beginning of the Cardinals' slide, as they went on to lose seven in a row to effectively fall out of legitimate wild card consideration.

St. Louis will counter with righthander Joel Pineiro (6-6, 5.24), who hasn't gotten past the fifth inning in any of his last three starts.