Chicago, IL (My Sportsbook) - The Cincinnati Reds try to sweep the Chicago Cubs this afternoon, when the two NL Central foes square off in the finale of a three- game series at Wrigley Field.

After winning the opener of this set by a 1-0 score, the Reds posted an 8-2 victory on Wednesday. Todd Walker, Russell Branyan and Juan Castro homered in a six-run third inning, leading Cincinnati to its second win in a row.

Branyan finished 3-for-4 with four runs batted in for the Reds, who have not swept the Cubs in the Windy City since August 11-13, 2000. Kelly Stinnett also homered in the winning effort, giving the Reds a chance to finish the campaign with a .500 mark. In order to go 81-81, Bob Boone's club has to win its final four games.

Ryan Dempster went the distance to earn the win, surrendering a pair of runs on six hits. He walked three and whiffed two in winning his third consecutive decision.

Alex Gonzalez hit a two-run homer for Chicago's lone runs. The Cubs have lost three straight and seven of their last eight. Sammy Sosa finished 0-for-4 and remained stuck on 498 career home runs. He needs two more round-trippers to become the first player in baseball history with five straight 50-homer years.

Matt Clement was roughed up for a season-high seven runs on seven hits in only three frames to absorb the setback. He walked two and struck out a pair, while yielding four home runs.

Carlos Zambrano takes the ball today for the Northsiders. Zambrano did not receive a decision in his last trip to the slate after permitting three runs -- one earned -- on four hits over six innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He walked three and struck out four, while giving up one round-tripper.

In his previous outing, the righthander pitched very well and defeated the Reds with seven scoreless frames of six-hit ball. The victory was Zambrano's second in three decisions. In his last 25 2/3 innings of work, he has allowed a total of eight runs -- six earned -- on 20 hits to lower his ERA from 4.40 to 3.82. This will be the 21-year-old hurler's 20th appearance -- ninth start -- of the season at home, where he is 2-4 with a 4.42 earned run average.

Zambrano is 1-0 lifetime versus the Reds, with the win coming this season. In four appearances -- one start -- against Cincinnati, he has surrendered seven hits in 11 2/3 scoreless innings.

Danny Graves counters for the Reds Graves did not factor into the decision in his last trip to the hill, yielding four runs on seven hits over five innings against the Philadelphia Phillies. He walked one and struck out a pair, while giving up one round-tripper.

The start was just the righthander's third of the season. It also marked the first time that he allowed a run since moving into the rotation, spanning 13 frames. Graves, who is second on the Reds' all-time list with 128 saves, has slowly built up his pitch count. After tossing 58 pitches in his second start, the former closer uncorked 75 tosses in his last trip to the mound. He is 6-0 in 26 lifetime outings that have lasted three or more frames.

For his career, Graves is 6-1 versus Chicago. He has faced the Cubs on seven occasions -- once as a starter -- this year and is 2-0 with four saves and a 1.38 earned run average.

Cincinnati leads the season series, 11-5, including seven victories in nine attempts in the Windy City. It is 39-38 on the year as the guest, while the Cubs bring a 34-43 home mark into this contest.