Chicago @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 27, 2011 ) Chi. Cubs 0, Milwaukee 2

THE STORY: The Milwaukee Brewers got some great pitching and a big home run from slugger Prince Fielder on Wednesday, but they’d likely trade it all for a healthy Rickie Weeks. The all-star second baseman was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left ankle after he twisted it badly on the first-base bag, beating out an infield single in the second inning. Initial x-rays reportedly did not show a break, but the injury could force the Brewers to be more active at the trade deadline. Meanwhile, the Brewers must soldier on and will send Shaun Marcum to the mound to try and finish the three-game sweep of the visiting Chicago Cubs on Thursday afternoon. Milwaukee has won five of nine against the Cubs in 2011.

TV: 2:10 p.m. EST; WGN (Chicago).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Randy Wells (2-3, 6.17) vs. Brewers RH Shaun Marcum (9-3, 3.35).

Wells allowed just one run over six innings his last start against Houston for his first victory since April 4. He has allowed 10 homers in 58 1/3 innings. Wells is 2-2 lifetime against Milwaukee with a 4.32 ERA in 41 2/3 innings. He gave up three runs – two earned – against the Brewers June 14 and did not get a decision. Fielder is 6-for-16 with a homer against Wells.

Marcum is 2-0 in his last four outings. He beat San Francisco July 22, giving up two runs over seven innings. Marcum has struck out 110 and walked 36 in 123 2/3 innings. He has never faced the Cubs, but Carlos Pena is 1-for-12 against him in their American League days.

ABOUT THE CUBS (42-62): Struggling Alfonso Soriano got the day off, but manager Mike Quade said he will back in the lineup Thursday. Soriano is just 4-for-36 since the all-star break and is batting .171 in July. Pena broke out of a 0-for-15 slide with a double Wednesday. Aramis Ramirez, who just missed a homer in the eighth off Francisco Rodriguez, is also just 2-for-17 the last four games. One thing stays the same for the Cubs. Shortstop Starlin Castro continues his break-out season, going 7-for-17 the last four games to raise his average to .305.

ABOUT THE BREWERS (56-49): With Weeks out, the Brewers are going to need a little more from everyone. Craig Counsell, his likely replacement for now, is batting just .155 and does not have a hit since June 10 (0-for-38). Fielder finally belted his first homer since July 5 – his second since June 25. Casey McGehee has come through in the series with three hits in six at bats and two RBIs. Ryan Braun was 11-for-23 with four homers and seven RBIs in a six-game hitting streak before going 0-for-4 Wednesday. Yuniesky Betancourt is batting .292 with 10 RBIs in July, improving his average to .251.

FINAL PITCH: Fielder is the only player in the majors to start every game this season after Gaby Sanchez of Florida sat out against Washington Tuesday night. Fielder has missed just one game over the last three seasons.