Chicago @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( May 15, 2012 ) Chi. Cubs 6, St. Louis 7

The Cubs had baseball’s worst record on the morning of June 25 but have been the best team in the major leagues since, winning 14 of their last 19 games. A big part of their success has been RHP Ryan Dempster, who has won his last five starts. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are treading water in the middle of the National League Central, coming into this weekend’s series five games back of first-place Cincinnati.

St. Louis owns the best run differential in the National League, thanks largely to an offense that leads the league in runs scored with 441 and paces the majors in on-base percentage at .341. The starting rotation, led by rookie Lance Lynn and Friday starter Kyle Lohse, has also been a strength. The Cubs still have the second-lowest run total of any team in baseball, but their pitching has improved — Chicago’s team ERA has been almost a full run and a half lower since the All-Star break.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Ryan Dempster (5-3, 1.86 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Kyle Lohse (9-2, 2.80)

The subject of numerous trade rumors in recent weeks, Dempster has enhanced his value with a lights-out pitching display. During his current five-start winning streak, the veteran has put together 33 consecutive scoreless innings, yielding just 20 hits and six walks. He wasn’t quite as dominant in his last outing against St. Louis, earning a no-decision on May 14 (6 IP, 9 H, 4 ER).

Lohse has quietly put together one of the best seasons in the National League, posting eight consecutive quality starts and going 3-0 with a 2.34 ERA in his last five outings. He has not been that sharp when facing the Cubs — Lohse gave up five runs over 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision on May 15, and he is just 2-4 with a 5.59 ERA in 14 career starts against Chicago.

WALK-OFFS
1. St. Louis hitters have fared well against Dempster, batting a combined .307. 2B Skip Schumaker (22-for-51, 6 RBIs) and OF Lance Berkman (19-for-65, 6 HR, 16 RBIs, 16 BB) have done the most damage.

2. Dempster is 8-8 with 15 saves in 48 career games (22 starts) against the Cardinals. He has posted a 4.57 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP in those contests.

3. Chicago OF Alfonso Soriano (18-for-47, 3 HR, 11 RBIs) and David DeJesus (9-for-19, 3B, HR, 4 RBIs) have enjoyed success against Lohse.