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San Francisco Giants (39-55) at Chicago Cubs (57-37), 2:20 p.m.

(Sports Network) - Ryan Dempster tries to stay undefeated at home this season, and his Chicago Cubs try to head into the All-Star break with their best record since 1969 when they go for a three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants today at Wrigley Field.

Dempster, who will play in his second All-Star Game this Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, has enjoyed his transition back to the starting rotation from the bullpen, having posted a 10-3 mark to go along with a 3.13 earned run average in 2008.

However, all 10 of his wins have come at home, where he has pitched to a 2.58 ERA in 11 starts. Only one pitcher in franchise history has started a season 11-0 at Wrigley - Bill Lee in 1936.

Dempster picked up the win on Tuesday against Cincinnati, as he allowed a run and two hits in seven innings to become the first Cubs starter to win his first 10 decisions at home since Rick Reuschel in 1977.

He received a no-decision against the Giants two starts ago and is 2-6 lifetime against them with four saves and a 4.34 ERA in 18 games, eight of which have been starts.

Chicago improved to an MLB-best 57-37 on Saturday, as Reed Johnson drove in the game-winning run with a single in the 11th inning to lift the Cubs to an 8-7 win after they had squandered a five-run lead in the ninth.

Jim Edmonds hit a two-run homer, doubled and knocked in four runs, while Mark DeRosa had two hits and two runs scored for the Cubs, who have won six of their last eight games.

With a win today, Chicago would enter the break with the second-best pre-All Star Game record in team history behind the 1969 club, which was 61-37. However, that team faded in the second half and missed the playoffs.

Rich Harden who was acquired along with Chad Gaudin from Oakland on Tuesday, tossed 5 1/3 innings of shutout ball in his Cubs debut. The right-hander allowed five hits, while striking out 10 and walking three in recording a no- decision. Sean Marshall (2-2) earned the win by pitching two scoreless innings and also added a single in the 11th.

Bengie Molina went 3-for-6 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Ray Durham and Aaron Rowand each finished with two hits and an RBI apiece for San Francisco, which has dropped six in a row and nine of its last 12.

The Giants' Kevin Correia earned a no-decision despite getting roughed up for seven runs on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings. All-Star closer Brian Wilson (0-2), though, gave up the winning hit in the 11th and absorbed the loss.

San Francisco will have its other All-Star on the hill this afternoon, as 24- year-old flame-thrower Tim Lincecum tries for his 11th win. Lincecum lost for the first time in 13 starts on Tuesday against the Mets, as he allowed four runs and nine hits in six innings to drop to 10-2 on the year and have his ERA raised to 2.66.

Despite the loss, Lincecum is still third in the league in ERA, while his 126 strikeouts top the majors.

Lincecum defeated the Cubs on July 3 and is 1-1 with a 3.10 ERA in his three starts against them.

The Cubs have won four of their six meetings with the Giants this season and are 9-4 in the series since the start of last season. San Francisco has also dropped five of its last six at Wrigley.


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