CARDINALS vs. CUBS

At Wrigley Field, Chicago.

Scouting report • Though just 54-70 overall and in fifth place in the NL Central, the Cubs have been on a run lately. Since beating the Cardinals 6-3 on July 31 the Cubs have gone 12-5. ... The Cardinals have gone just 9-8 over that same period. ...

The Cardinals will not have to worry about facing volatile Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano. After giving up five home runs then melting down and walking out on his team last Friday, the Cubs put Zambrano on the disqualified list for 30 days. His return with the Cubs is uncertain. ...

Albert Pujols, who leads the NL in home runs with 30, has hit 52 of his 438 career homers vs. the Cubs — the most against any franchise. And his 25 bombs at Wrigley Field is the most he has hit at any opponent's ballpark other than Pittsburgh's PNC Park, where he has hit 28. ...

The Cardinals will close the series with Jake Westbrook on the mound Sunday. Westbrook has not won in four straight starts.

Projected pitching matchups

Today, 1:20 p.m. • LHP Jaime Garcia (10-6, 3.42) vs. RHP Randy Wells (4-4, 5.90)

Saturday, 3:10 p.m. • RHP Edwin Jackson (9-8, 4.04) vs. RHP Matt Garza (5-9, 3.80)

Sunday, 7:05 p.m. • RHP Jake Westbrook (9-7, 4.81) vs. RHP Rodrigo Lopez (4-3, 4.65)