Chi Cubs (87-58) at St. Louis (78-67)

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chc

Cubs eagerly awaiting return of aces

Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
Having experienced life without their two top pitchers, the Cubs are looking forward to their return, beginning with Rich Harden's start in the finale vs. the Cards.
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Cubs probable pitcher

Rich Harden

  • #40 RHP
  • (9-2) 1.99 ERA 167 SO
Harden should be well rested. Because of his history of right elbow problems, the Cubs chose to give the right-hander an extended breather. Harden's last start was on Aug. 29, against the Phillies, and he did not get a decision. Harden threw 100 pitches in five innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks. He now has 167 strikeouts, matching his career high set in 2004, when he was a member of the A's. Harden finished August with a 3-0 record and a 1.82 ERA, giving up six earned runs in 29 2/3 innings.
  W-L ERA IP BB SO AVG
Career 40-20 3.25 595.2 250 598 .218
Season 9-2 1.99 131.0 49 167 .188

Series at a Glance

Standings - 09/11/2008 W L PCT GB Home Away
Chicago Cubs (NL Central) 87 58 .600 - 51-24 36-34
St. Louis Cardinals (NL Central) 78 67 .538 9.0 40-33 38-34
Stats - 09/11/2008 AVG R HR RBI SB SO ERA IP H BB SO
CHC .280 776 166 736 84 1054 3.85 1306.0 1201 479 1133
STL .279 692 158 664 63 890 4.13 1304.1 1368 440 844
stl

Cardinals get last home crack at Cubs

Matthew Leach / MLB.com
The Cardinals are trying not to get caught up in paying back the Cubs for what some think are questionable actions as they head into the finale.
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Cardinals probable pitcher

Todd Wellemeyer

  • #37 RHP
  • (12-6) 3.74 ERA 116 SO
Wellemeyer is dealing lately. He started the year hot, hurt his elbow and struggled upon his return to action, but over the past six weeks, he's going as well as he has all year. In his past eight starts, Wellemeyer has a 2.75 ERA, 37 strikeouts and 12 walks in 52 1/3 innings. One thing worth watching is his durability, since he's coming off the longest start of his career -- eight innings and 119 pitches, both new personal highs.
  W-L ERA IP BB SO AVG
Career 21-16 4.47 410.1 202 322 .249
Season 12-6 3.74 168.1 51 116 .243
September 1-0 3.38 8.0 1 7 .172
Vs. Chi Cubs 2-1 4.32 16.2 5 12 .281

Cubs hitters vs Todd Wellemeyer

  2008 2003-2007
Hitter AVG AB HR RBI AVG AB HR RBI
Adduci, James - - - - - - - -
Baker, Jeff - - - - - - - -
Blanco, Andres - - - - - - - -
Bradley, Milton - - - - .000 2 0 0
Castillo, Welington - - - - - - - -
Colvin, Tyler - - - - - - - -
Fontenot, Mike .500 4 0 0 .400 5 0 0
Fox, Jake - - - - - - - -
Fukudome, Kosuke .000 4 0 0 .000 4 0 0
Fuld, Sam - - - - - - - -
Hill, Koyie - - - - 1.000 1 0 1
Hoffpauir, Micah - - - - - - - -
Lee, Derrek .222 9 0 0 .167 12 0 1
Miles, Aaron - - - - .000 3 0 0
Ramirez, Aramis .400 5 0 2 .333 9 0 2
Soriano, Alfonso .200 5 0 1 .222 9 0 1
Soto, Geovany .143 7 0 0 .125 8 0 0
Theriot, Ryan .429 7 0 0 .444 9 0 1

Cardinals hitters vs Rich Harden

  2008 2003-2007
Hitter AVG AB HR RBI AVG AB HR RBI
Anderson, Bryan - - - - - - - -
Craig, Allen - - - - - - - -
Freese, David - - - - - - - -
Greene, Tyler - - - - - - - -
Hamilton, Mark - - - - - - - -
Jay, Jon - - - - - - - -
Jones, Daryl - - - - - - - -
Ludwick, Ryan - - - - .000 3 0 0
Lugo, Julio .333 3 0 0 .200 15 0 0
Mather, Joe - - - - - - - -
Molina, Yadier - - - - .000 1 0 0
Pagnozzi, Matt - - - - - - - -
Pujols, Albert - - - - .167 6 0 1
Rasmus, Colby - - - - - - - -
Robinson, Shane - - - - - - - -
Ryan, Brendan - - - - - - - -
Schumaker, Skip - - - - .000 3 0 0
Stavinoha, Nick - - - - 1.000 1 0 0

Cubs show Cards some glove (88-58) (78-68)

Cubs 3, Cardinals 2

Fine fieldwork

Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
Rich Harden tossed six strong innings to win in his first start since Aug. 29, as the Cubs won their series with the Cards. Chicago came up with some game-saving defense in the late innings, including a remarkable catch by Kosuke Fukudome, to open a 5 1/2-game lead in the Central.

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Series at a Glance

 

What might've been

Matthew Leach / MLB.com
The Cardinals missed chances late, and missed a chance to gain on the Brewers in the Wild Card race in their series loss to the Cubs. Albert Pujols tallied his 100th RBI, but also made a costly error before the Cards mounted serious threats in the eighth and ninth only to fall short.
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Cubs 3, Cardinals 2

Chi CubsABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Soriano, LF3010220.287
Theriot, SS4021100.309
Lee, 1B5001026.292
Ramirez, A, 3B4010004.280
DeRosa, RF-2B4110001.285
Fontenot, 2B3011111.298
  Marmol, P0000000.000
  Pie, CF0000000.231
Soto, C3100113.288
Johnson, R, CF4110011.305
  Wood, P0000000.000
Harden, P3000005.087
  Samardzija, P0000000.000
  Fukudome, RF1000000.261
Totals343735721 

BATTING
2B: Soriano (25, Wellemeyer), DeRosa (27, McClellan), Fontenot (20, McClellan).
TB: Soriano 2; Theriot 2; Ramirez, A; DeRosa 2; Fontenot 2; Johnson, R.
RBI: Theriot (37), Lee (82), Fontenot (37).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Harden 2; Ramirez, A 2; Lee.
Team LOB: 9.
 
St. LouisABRHRBIBBSOLOBAVG
Schumaker, CF5010002.305
Miles, LF4110112.315
Pujols, 1B5111013.360
Ludwick, RF4010001.296
Lopez, F, 3B4011002.262
Kennedy, 2B3010111.267
LaRue, C3010001.236
  c-Phelps, PH1000013.278
  Johnson, M, C0000000.000
Wellemeyer, P1000010.154
  a-Stavinoha, PH1010000.216
  McClellan, P0000000.000
  b-Looper, PH0000000.255
  Springer, P0000000.000
  Franklin, P0000000.000
  d-Ryan, PH1010000.246
Izturis, C, SS4010004.249
Totals3621022519 

a-Singled for Wellemeyer in the 5th. b-Hit a sacrifice bunt for McClellan in the 7th. c-Struck out for LaRue in the 8th. d-Doubled for Franklin in the 9th.

BATTING
2B: Pujols (40, Harden), Ryan (9, Wood).
TB: Schumaker; Miles; Pujols 2; Ludwick; Lopez, F; Kennedy; LaRue; Stavinoha; Ryan 2; Izturis, C.
RBI: Pujols (100), Lopez, F (34).
2-out RBI: Lopez, F.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Izturis, C; Schumaker; Phelps 2; Pujols.
S: Looper.
Team LOB: 10.

FIELDING
E: Pujols (5, fielding).
Outfield assists: Ludwick (Soriano at home).
DP: (Ludwick-LaRue).
 
Chi CubsIPHRERBBSOHRERA
Harden (W, 10-2)6.05221302.04
Samardzija (H, 2)1.01000001.96
Marmol (H, 27)1.02001102.66
Wood (S, 30)1.02000103.45
 
St. LouisIPHRERBBSOHRERA
Wellemeyer (L, 12-7)5.03204203.63
McClellan 2.02110403.73
Springer 1.01000102.36
Franklin 1.01001003.69

WP: Wellemeyer.
IBB: Kennedy (by Marmol).
Pitches-strikes: Harden 86-55, Samardzija 7-5, Marmol 27-16, Wood 14-10, Wellemeyer 91-57, McClellan 30-18, Springer 21-14, Franklin 25-17.
Groundouts-flyouts: Harden 3-12, Samardzija 1-2, Marmol 0-2, Wood 1-1, Wellemeyer 3-9, McClellan 1-1, Springer 0-2, Franklin 2-1.
Batters faced: Harden 24, Samardzija 4, Marmol 6, Wood 5, Wellemeyer 22, McClellan 8, Springer 4, Franklin 5.
Umpires: HP: Mike Reilly. 1B: Andy Fletcher. 2B: Bob Davidson. 3B: Alfonso Marquez.
Weather: 77 degrees, cloudy.
Wind: 6 mph, Out to LF.
T: 3:06.
Att: 44,155.
September 11, 2008

Box score official statistics approved by Major League Baseball Office of the Commissioner