New York @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2011 ) Chi. Cubs 10, NY Mets 6

The emotional resiliency of the New York Mets will be tested when they open a three-game series in Chicago against the dreadful Cubs, who have the worst record in baseball at 24-48. The Mets lost their second straight game to the Yankees on Sunday night and it came under the national spotlight with R.A. Dickey seeing his consecutive innings streak of not allowing an earned run end at 44 2/3 innings. Chicago has lost four straight.

The Cubs were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks over the weekend and have lost eight of 11. Chicago is 15 1/2 games behind the first-place Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central and showing few signs of improvement. The Cubs were 3-for-25 with runners in scoring position against Arizona and have scored three or fewer runs 14 times in 22 June games. New York is 3 1/2 games behind the Washington Nationals in the NL East race. The Mets are opening a seven-game trip that ends with four against the Los Angeles Dodgers, leaders of the NL West.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), Comcast SportsNet Plus (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Johan Santana (5-3, 3.00 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Travis Wood (1-3, 4.14 ERA)

Santana has won four of his last five starts, including the no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 1. He tossed six shutout innings of four-hit ball while beating the Baltimore Orioles in his last outing. Santana is 3-0 with a 1.65 ERA in six career appearances (three starts) against the Cubs.

Wood was winless in seven starts prior to beating the Chicago White Sox in his last turn. He gave up one run and four hits in six innings. Wood has a 6.11 ERA in three home starts. This is his second career start against New York after taking a no-decision in 2010 when he pitched for the Cincinnati Reds.

WALK-OFFS:

1. The Cubs are expected to recall first baseman Anthony Rizzo early this week. Rizzo is batting .349 at Triple-A Iowa but hit just .141 in 49 games for the San Diego Padres last season.

2. Mets third baseman David Wright is batting .370 during a 14-game hitting streak.

3. Chicago’s Reed Johnson is 13-for-25 against Santana, while Alfonso Soriano is hitless in 13 at-bats.