Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Chris Carpenter takes the mound in this weekend's series opener with the Cubs.

By John Kruk, ESPN

After seven road games in six days against the two teams nipping at their heels, the Cardinals will undoubtedly be in need of a break come next week -- All-Star or otherwise.

But St. Louis couldn't ask for a better start to its four-game weekend series against the Cubs than ace Chris Carpenter taking the hill Friday. Unlike so many others, I don't use the word ace lightly.

Although the term is often thoughtlessly applied to every team's top starter, there are only several true aces throughout the league. During his 12 seasons in the majors, Carpenter has come to stand as the very definition of an ace. Just look at how he responds to adversity. Following his worst outing of the season June 30 (11 hits, six runs in five innings against the Giants), Carpenter bounced right back with a one-run, seven-inning gem at Cincinnati.

That's the mark of a great pitcher. Others will have a bad start, then another and another, all while trying to figure out what is wrong. The great ones -- and Carpenter is great -- recover and excel. If you have him lead the series, you can confidently say that at worst you'll split the next two games and still come out on top overall. Expect him to set the tone.

Featured Series: Cardinals at Cubs

FRIDAY Cardinals (Chris Carpenter) at Cubs (Rich Harden), 2:20 ET

SATURDAY Cardinals (Brad Thompson) at Cubs (Ted Lilly), 4:10 ET

SUNDAY Cardinals (Adam Wainwright) at Cubs (Carlos Zambrano), 8:05 ET, ESPN

Just like everyone else with any sense in this league, the Cubs won't pitch to Albert Pujols. They just won't. So the Cardinals will lean on right fielder Ryan Ludwick and center fielder Colby Rasmus to step up and provide the run support this weekend. Rasmus, in particular, has really started to swing the bat pretty well for a rookie, registering a .272 BA in his past 10 games, a run that included a six-game hitting streak.

The Cubs did get slugging third baseman Aramis Ramirez back in the lineup this week after a shoulder injury landed him on the disabled list for nearly two months, so that should help improve the run production. Derrek Lee, who had six home runs and 20 RBIs in June, has rediscovered his power and has led the Cubs with five homers and 14 RBIs in just eight games this month.

Together, they provide the serious pop the Cubs have been searching for all year, and I think they will eventually pose a serious threat for the division title. But not yet. Although the Cubs have more talent than any other team in the NL Central, they will never reach their potential until they cut down on their mental mistakes. Baserunning, fielding, you name it -- Chicago has kicked it around all kinds of ways during the first half.

Yes, the Cubs are starting to click offensively, but at this point in the season, St. Louis is still the top dog. That's why I expect the Cardinals will get to rest comfortably as the division leaders this All-Star break.

Even if only for a little while.

Past Baseball Tonight Clubhouses: July 8 | July 7 | July 6 | July 5 | July 2

TOUCH 'EM ALL

Who went deep? Keep track of all the home runs hit each day on "Baseball Tonight" and on the Baseball Tonight Clubhouse page.

For more, check out the Home Run Tracker page.

Home Run Tracker
NAME	HR	OPP	PITCHER	SITUATION
J. Kubel, Min	14	NYY	Aceves	Bot 2: 0-2, 0 Outs. None on.
K. Shoppach, Cle	7	CWS	Richard	Top 2: 0-0, 0 Outs. Gr. Slam.
M. Teixeira, NYY	21	Min	Liriano	Top 5: 0-0, 1 Outs. None on.
R. Ludwick, StL	13	Mil	Coffey	Top 8: 0-1, 0 Outs. 2 on.
A. Pierzynski, CWS	10	Cle	Huff	Bot 5: 0-0, 0 Outs. None on.
D. Ortiz, Bos	11	KC	Hochevar	Bot 1: 2-2, 1 Outs. 1 on.

The complete list of Thursday's homers

ON DECK: WEEKEND WATCH

Dodgers at Brewers

Both teams score runs; the Dodgers are third in the league in runs scored and the Brewers fourth. The Dodgers, though, hit for a much better average (their .273 leads the league). The Brewers, meanwhile, rank 12th at .254.

Yankees at Angels

Two teams locked in tight races get together. The Yankees are rolling along, having won 13 of 15. In nine of the 13 wins, the Yankees have scored at least five runs. The Angels' pitchers, who rank 27th in the majors in ERA (4.75), have given up at least four runs in each of the past six games.

Rangers at Mariners

The Rangers still hold a slim lead over the Angels in the AL West. The Mariners, meanwhile, are the only team in baseball with a winning record but a negative run differential.

For the rest of Friday's schedule, click here. To see what's on tap for Saturday, click here. And for Sunday's full slate of games, click here.