The Cubs extended their division lead a bit by taking two out of three from the A's. They'll get four whacks at the Reds this weekend, who remain a surprisingly not terrible team. Read more for match-ups.

The Cubs are in first place after sweeping the Brewers at home and now prepare for a three-game set against the Athletics. With the Cardinals still hot on their tail, they'll need to keep up the kind of intensity they've shown over the last few days. Although they are 8.5 games back in the AL West, don't expect the A's to go down easy. They are 64-48 and playing for an AL Wild Card spot and are an all around tough opponent. See match-ups below.

The Cubs take on the Brewers in a 3-game set at Wrigley, both teams working to catch up with the 1st place Cardinals. See match-ups below.

The Cubs head off to St. Louis for a 3-game set. As of this posting, they are tied with the Cards for first place and the Brewers are only one game back. Let's see who will be doing the bulk of the pitching work each day.

The Cubs head to Milwaukee to take on the third-place Brewers, who have been leap-frogged by the streaking Cardinals. As tight as the division, it feels like we are already very much in the stretch. They start with the season series tied 3-3. See game-by-game matchups below.

CHC (54-47): RHP Tyler Chatwood (4-1, 4.30 ERA)
SF (52-50): RHP Tyler Beede (3-3, 4.70 ERA)

First pitch 2:45pmCDT

Chatwood is a late substitution for an ill Jon Lester. He last pitched on July 14 and last started on June 27. In three starts he's pitched 15 innings and allowed 12 runs, nine earned against the Mets, Atlanta, and Arizona. Currents Giants have a .869 OPS against him in 153 at bats.