Chicago @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 26, 2011 ) Chi. Cubs 2, Milwaukee 5

THE STORY: Having buried the field in the National League Central, Milwaukee can continue extending its lead when it hosts the Chicago Cubs on Saturday in the second game of a three-game series. The Brewers improved to 19-5 in August with a 5-2 win over the Cubs on Friday, maintaining a 9 1/2-game lead over St. Louis. Ryan Braun's two-run double in the fifth inning was the decisive blow.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), WMLW-41 (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUPS: Cubs RH Ryan Dempster (10-9) vs. Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (14-8, 3.51).

Dempster has settled down in recent weeks, allowing 14 runs in 38 innings over six consecutive quality starts. He has 39 strikeouts during that span, upping his total to 155 (seventh in NL), but Dempster has also walked 14 in his last four outings. Dempster is 15-4 with 10 saves and a 2.56 lifetime ERA against the Brewers, but he suffered a loss at Milwaukee July 26, allowing three runs in six innings. Gallardo has been rolling along with the rest of the Brewers in the last month, going 3-1 with over his last five starts with 33 strikeouts and only eight earned runs allowed in 35 innings. He has been particularly sharp at home this season, posting an 8-1 record and a 2.73 ERA at Miller Park. In nine career starts against the Cubs, Gallardo is 3-1 with a 3.31 ERA, including a no-decision on June 14 (7 IP, 1 ER). Chicago's Starlin Castro and Aramis Ramirez are both 6-for-15 (.400) against Gallardo.

ABOUT THE BREWERS (79-54): Milwaukee was a half-game behind St. Louis on July 27 but has left the entire NL Central in its wake, winning 25 of its last 30 games. The Brewers have been excellent at Miller Park, posting an MLB-best 48-16 home mark, but they have been nearly as impressive on the road lately, going 10-3 in August away games. Braun (.333, 25 HRs, 87 RBIs) and Prince Fielder (.298, 28 HRs, 101 RBIs) rank among the leading NL Most Valuable Player candidates.

ABOUT THE CUBS (57-75): No team has inflicted more wounds upon itself this season than Chicago, which bumped its league-leading error total to 110 with a pair of miscues Friday. The poor defense hasn't helped a pitching staff that has already had its share of problems — the Cubs rank 27th in the major leagues with a 4.52 team ERA and have issued more walks (478) than any club. Ramirez has been on a tear, going 30-for-57 (.526) during a 15-game hitting streak.

FINAL PITCH: Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks, who has been out since July 27 with an injured ankle, took batting practice before Friday's game, but his return date is still unknown. Milwaukee is 23-5 without Weeks.