Chicago @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 23, 2012 ) Chi. Cubs 5, Arizona 10

By opening the series with a pair of five-run victories, Arizona has moved over the .500 mark for the first time since May 4. The Diamondbacks coasted to a 10-5 win on Saturday, building an early cushion with a six-run fourth inning. The Cubs, who are 9-27 since May 15, own the worst record in the major leagues at 24-47 and are just 10-28 on the road this season.

A potent and balanced lineup, led by LF Jason Kubel (.300, 45 RBIs), has kept the Diamondbacks within striking distance in both the National League West, where they trail Los Angeles by 6 1/2 games, and the wild-card race, where they are 2 1/2 games off the pace. The Cubs, now a distant last in the NL Central, rank near the bottom of the league in most statistical categories. Their run differential of minus-66 is the third-worst in the major leagues.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Comcast Sports (Chicago), Fox Sports (Arizona)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Matt Garza (3-5, 4.07 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Wade Miley (8-3, 2.30 ERA)

Garza finally got some run support from his teammates in a 12-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on June 18, breaking a streak of seven winless starts. Even with that victory, Garza is an unimpressive 2-4 in eight road outings with a 5.44 ERA. He won his lone previous start against Arizona, striking out 10 and giving up three runs in eight innings last April 30.

Miley has quietly put together one of the best seasons of any National League pitcher, ranking among the league leaders in ERA and WHIP. He has shown excellent command of late, striking out 25 and walking just one in 30 innings over his last four starts. Miley, who has never faced the White Sox, is 5-1 with a 2.58 ERA at home this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Diamondbacks are 29-for-102 (.284) against Garza. Most of those at-bats belong to 2B Aaron Hill (9-for-28) and 1B Lyle Overbay (11-for-40, 12 K).

2. Overbay left Friday’s game with tightness in his knee, but he made a pinch-hitting appearance in the eighth inning Saturday and is expected to be available on Sunday.

3. The Cubs had won seven of their last 10 against Arizona, including five of seven on the road, before opening this weekend with consecutive losses.