Chicago @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 22, 2012 ) Chi. Cubs 1, Arizona 6

The Arizona Diamondbacks have made their offensive struggles a thing of the past. The Chicago Cubs would like to do the same thing - and they'll get a chance to do just that as they resume their weekend series with the Diamondbacks on Saturday afternoon. The scuffling Cubs will look to tee off on Arizona starter Ian Kennedy, who is struggling to rediscover the form that won him 21 games a season ago and has struggled against Chicago in his career.

Arizona crept its way back to .500 by winning for the third time in four games, taking a 6-1 decision in the series opener against the struggling Cubs. Jason Kubel hit a two-run homer for the Diamondbacks, who have scored 36 runs in four games after being shut out twice in a row last weekend. Chicago, which is 9-26 since May 15, has managed just one run in its last 24 innings.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Comcast Sports (Chicago), Fox Sports (Arizona)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Paul Maholm (4-5, 4.88 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (5-7, 4.13)

Maholm has quietly put together a pair of quality starts in his last two outings (12 IP, 5 ER, 2 BB, 13 K), but both came at Wrigley Field. The left-hander is still just 1-3 with a 6.16 ERA in six away dates this season, with the Cubs losing each of his last four starts on the road. Maholm is 0-2 with a 4.08 in five lifetime starts against Arizona.

Kennedy has failed to follow up on last year’s breakthrough campaign, dropping seven of his last nine starts. He suffered a tough defeat June 17 against the Angels in Los Angeles, losing despite allowing just two runs on six hits in eight strong innings. In three career starts against the Cubs, Kennedy is 1-1 with a 5.91 ERA — but he has 18 strikeouts and just two walks in those games.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona hitters are just 10-for-51 (.196) against Maholm, with Kubel (2-for-6) hitting the lone home run.

2. Excluding injured INF Ian Stewart, the Cubs are 8-for-36 (.222) against Kennedy with nine strikeouts. LF Alfonso Soriano, who has 12 home runs in his last 17 games against Arizona, is 2-for-6 with a homer.

3. The Cubs had won seven of their last 10 against Arizona, including five of seven on the road, prior to Friday’s defeat.