On Deck: Reshuffling the NL Central

On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups

Pittsburgh Pirates (63-80) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (73-69)-7:05PM Est.

Congratulations to the Milwaukee Brewers for finally learning one of the NL Central's deepest darkest secrets: You can play like crap and still win the division. That's right, despite all their struggles of late, the Brewers have reclaimed first place in the NL Central. Now they move on to Pittsburgh to take on a Pirates team that just knocked the Cubs out of first. Will the Brewers be subjected to the same fate? The key for the Brewers lately has been the return of the home run to their arsenal. The Brew Crew is knocking the crap out of the ball, much like they did at the beginning of the season, and they're hoping it continues this afternoon. Carlos Villanueva will make the start for the Brewers today, and he'll be looking to match his last start. Villanueva held the Astros to one run in a 5-3 Milwaukee victory last week. He'll be going against Tony Armas who has had success against Milwaukee in his career. In five starts, Armas is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA.


Chicago Cubs (72-70) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (69-71)-3:20PM Est.

With the Brewers back in first, the two teams chasing after them collide in Chicago this afternoon. It will be the last meeting of the season between the two rivals, as they make up a game that was rained out back in August. The Cubs just lost two of three in Pittsburgh, and lost their division lead in the process. Ted Lilly looks to help get the Cubs back to the top of the division, or at least keep pace with Milwaukee this afternoon. Lilly is just one win away from a career high 15 victories, and is coming off of his first win in his last five starts. More good news for the Cubs? Lilly is 8-1 when he starts a game following a Cubs loss. Joel Pineiro goes for the Cardinals, and he's been a pleasant surprise since being picked up from Boston. Pineiro beat the Cubs at Wrigley in the series that featured the game the two teams make up today, and he's 1-1 with a 3.55 ERA in his career against Chicago.

San Francisco Giants (65-78) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (81-63)-10:15PM Est.

The Diamondbacks had a little slip last week when they gave up the NL West lead to San Diego, but they've fallen back in stride lately. Arizona has won it's last five games, and has opened up a nice three-game lead on the Padres. Tonight Livan Hernandez looks to make it six in a row, and a 3.5 game lead, when he takes the mound against the Giants. In his career against his former team, Hernandez is 3-4 with a 2.88 ERA in 11 starts. Obviously he hasn't received much run support in those starts, and it's questionable whether he'll get any tonight as well. Tim Lincecum only lasted three innings in his last start, but he has the kind of stuff that can shut down any lineup on any night.