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Brewers look to stay in race vs. nemesis Cubs

Sep 26, 2008 - 10:28 AM Chi Cubs (96-62) at Milwaukee (88-71) 8:05 p.m. EDT

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Thanks to Ryan Braun, the Milwaukee Brewers are alive to fight another day. The problem is, Friday's battle is a little tougher than Thursday's.

The Brewers will be looking to stay at the top of the National League wild-card pack when they face the Chicago Cubs.

Milwaukee is tied atop the wild-card standings with the New York Mets (88-71) after picking up a 5-1 win in 10 innings over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, sweeping a three-game series. Braun was the hero, smacking a walk-off grand slam.

But the Cubs have had the Brewers' number of late, winning six of the last seven meetings.

Chicago, which clinched the National League Central Division last weekend and locked up the best record in the league on Tuesday, did Milwaukee no favors by dropping two of three to the Mets, including a 7-6 setback on Thursday.

Jeff Suppan (10-10, 5.06 ERA) will try to snap out of a personal funk when he starts for the Brewers. The veteran righthander has not earned a win since August 30, going 0-3 with a 10.47 ERA in his last four outings.

Suppan was crushed in his last start against the Cubs, allowing 11 runs and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings on April 30.

Chicago will counter with righthander Ryan Dempster (17-6, 2.99). The converted closer was named by manager Lou Piniella as the Game One starter in the playoffs next week and will likely be on a pitch limit against Milwaukee.

Dempster earned a win against the Brewers on September 16, allowing two runs while striking out nine in six innings.