In his last five outings, Cubs starter Javier Assad is 2-0 with a 1.62 ERA and 24 Ks in 33.1 IP. He has four quality starts in seven outings this season. Chicago is hot again after a three-game sweep of San Francisco.

The D-Backs have been inconsistent in the second half of the season (12-15 in August) and will start Ryne Nelson, who was just recalled from the minors, on Thursday. The 25-year-old allowed 15 hits and 12 runs in 6.2 combined innings in his last two starts before he was sent down...

The Cubs, 33-17 post-All-Star weekend, will score another crucial victory for their postseason bid tomorrow at Wrigley!