New York @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 26, 2012 ) NY Mets 3, Chi. Cubs 5

The New York Mets had to figure a series against the lowly Chicago Cubs would give them a chance to pad their record in a positive way. After dropping the first two games of the series, the Mets are now just hoping to escape from Wrigley Field with one victory. The Cubs called up top prospect Anthony Rizzo on Tuesday and got an immediate boost as the young slugger drove in the go-ahead run in a 5-3 victory.

Rizzo’s fourth-inning double sent Chicago to its first series win this month and put New York on a path to a fourth straight loss. The Mets are suddenly stumbling in several areas after failing to support a great start by Johan Santana and booting the ball around on defense in Monday’s loss. On Tuesday it was starter Dillon Gee failing to hold a lead and the offense failing to score in six innings against the Cubs’ bullpen. New York left seven runners in scoring position with two outs on Tuesday.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), CSN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jon Niese (5-3, 3.75 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (5-6, 4.34 ERA)

Niese got the lone win in New York’s series against the crosstown rival Yankees last weekend, allowing two runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings while striking out five. The 25-year-old lefty has issued only four walks while striking out 28 in 26 1/3 innings over his last four turns. Niese has struggled against the Cubs, going 1-2 with a 5.95 ERA in four starts.

Samardzija was one of the few pleasant surprises for Chicago in the early going but has lost his way of late, going 0-3 with a 10.29 ERA in his last three turns. The right-hander was knocked around for five runs and seven hits in five innings at Arizona last Friday and has just one win in his last eight starts. Samardzija has made six appearances - all in relief - against the Mets, posting a 2.70 ERA.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Chicago will be looking to match its season high with a third straight win on Wednesday.

2. The Mets will be hoping to avoid a season-high fifth consecutive loss.

3. Cubs 3B Ian Stewart (left wrist) is not yet ready to start a rehab assignment and has had to take things slow after receiving a cortisone shot in the wrist. He went on the disabled list June 13.