(My Sportsbook) - The Chicago Cubs' stretch run gets a bit of a boost tonight, when Rich Harden returns to the hill to face the St. Louis Cardinals in the rubber match of a three-game series at Busch Stadium.

Harden hasn't started since August 29 versus the Phillies, as the Cubs decided to give the oft-injured hurler some extra rest. The right-hander had been limited to just 26 starts over his previous three years with Oakland due to five separate stints on the disabled list.

Harden, though, has made 22 starts this year, including nine with the Cubs since coming over prior to the non-waiver trade deadline. He is 4-1 with a 1.50 earned run average with Chicago, though he got a no-decision versus the Phillies despite allowing two runs (1 earned) on three hits and four walks over five innings.

The 26-year-old has fanned five to give him 167 total strikeouts on the year, matching his career high set in 2004 with the A's.

Harden lost his only other career start versus the Cardinals, a June 16, 2004 outing in which he gave up three runs over 6 1/3 innings of a 6-2 loss.

He will try to pitch the Cubs to a series win after they held on to top the Cardinals, 4-3, last night. Ted Lilly hurled eight strong innings to get the win, while Felix Pie, Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez each recorded an RBI for the Cubs.

Despite having dropped eight of their last 10 games overall, Chicago stayed 4 1/2 games ahead of Milwaukee for first place in the National League Central.

The Cardinals, meanwhile, fell 4 1/2 games back of the NL wild-card leading Brewers after having their three-game win streak halted. Braden Looper went five innings last night, surrendering four runs -- one earned -- on eight hits. Ryan Ludwick hit a two-run homer for St. Louis, which lost catcher Yadier Molina in the fifth inning due to a bruised left thigh.

Todd Wellemeyer will start for the Cards tonight coming off a career performance. The 30-year-old improved to 12-6 with a 3.74 ERA on the season Saturday versus Florida, pitching a personal-high eight innings and allowing just three runs on five hits while fanning seven in halting a two-start skid.

The right-hander is 2-1 with a 4.08 ERA in four games (3 starts) lifetime versus the Cubs and defeated them on August 9.

The Cubs have regained the lead in the season series, 6-5.