7/27 Extra bases

The Cubs open a three-game series against the Cardinals on Friday at Wrigley Field, which also is Ron Santo Day. Ceremonies are expected to begin around 1 p.m. CT. As of now, Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza are both still on the roster.

* Since making his Cubs debut June 26, Anthony Rizzo is first among NL rookies with a .323 batting average, is tied for first with five home runs, and second in RBIs with 12.

* Alfonso Soriano is one home run away from his 11th 20-homer season. One more, and he’ll join Andre Dawson as the only players to hit 20 or more home runs in each of their first six seasons with the Cubs.

* In case you missed it, here are the pitching matchups for this weekend:

Friday: LHP Travis Wood (4-5, 4.33) vs. RHP Lance Lynn (12-4, 3.10)

Saturday: RHP Jeff Samardzija (7-8, 4.25) vs. RHP Joe Kelly (1-3, 2.78)

Sunday: LHP Paul Maholm (9-6, 3.88) vs. RHP Adam Wainwright (8-10, 4.31)

– Carrie Muskat