St. Louis @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2010 ) Chi. Cubs 7, St. Louis 3

Adam Wainwright is looking for his 20th win of the season again today as his St. Louis Cardinals visit the Chicago Cubs.

So far it has proved to be an elusive milestone for the big right-hander. Last year Wainwright finished the season stuck at 19 wins as he went 1-1 in his last four starts of the season. He heads into this start having lost five of his last seven, but did limit the San Diego Padres to a single run over eight innings with seven strikeouts the last time he took the hill to pick up his 19th win in a 4-1 decision.

Wainwright’s slump in August may have cost him the inside track for the National League Cy Young award, but he may have a good shot at picking up his 20th win in Chicago.

He has won four straight starts at Wrigley Field with a 3.12 ERA, the last being a 9-1 win on May 30 that saw him allow one run in eight innings. Wainwright gave up five runs on 12 hits in a 7-2 loss to the Cubs in St. Louis on Sept 14.

He’ll be looking for some support from slugger Albert Pujols, who hit his 40th and 41st home runs of the season Thursday to help St. Louis (78-74) avoid a series sweep to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Chicago Cubs (69-83) head into this series without catcher Geovany Soto or outfielder Tyler Colvin. Soto, who hit .280 with 17 home runs and 53 RBIs, opted to end his season early by having shoulder surgery.

Colvin, who hit 20 home runs in his first season in the majors, is out for the year after taking a broken bat to the chest in a freak accident last week. He has since been released from hospital.

Tom Gorzelanny (7-8, 3.90 ERA) makes his first start since taking a comebacker off his pitching hand on Sept. 1. He came out after 2 2/3 scoreless innings in the 5-3 win over the Pirates. Gorzelanny gave up three runs over six innings the last time he faced the Cardinals, helping Chicago to a 6-5 win. He is 1-3 with a 5.36 ERA in seven starts since then.

The Chicago Cubs have won eight of their 12 games against the Cardinals this season and head into this series having won seven of their last nine games overall. However, they were pounded 13-0 by the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.