The Cubs are taking on their third NL Central rival in the first four series of the season, and it’s a four-game set to get the Interstate 55 battle started.

With rightfielder Milton Bradley expected to be back this weekend from a groin strain, manager Lou Piniella decided to place some lefty power in the middle of the order today:

Soriano, LF
Fukudome, CF
Lee, 1B
Hoffpauir, RF
Ramirez, 3B
Fontenot, 2B
Soto, C
Theriot, SS
Marshall, LHP

The Cardinals will have right-hander Adam Wainwright (1-0, 1.74 ERA) on the mound.

In the Cards

From the Cubs media relations department:

Chicago went 9-6 against the Cardinals in 2008, marking the fourth-straight season series win for the Cubs … that previously happened when Chicago won 12 straight season series against the Cardinals from 1902-1913 … the Cubs are 41-25 (.621) against St. Louis since the start of the 2005 season:

Cubs yearly record vs. Cards
2005………………………..10-6
2006………………………..11-8
2007………………………..11-5
2008…………………………9-6