Houston @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( May 23, 2012 ) Chi. Cubs 1, Houston 5

Far and away the worst team in the major leagues a year ago, Houston has conceded that dubious distinction to its National League Central rival from Chicago. The Cubs’ record of 26-49 is not only the worst in baseball this year, but also the third-worst after 75 games in the franchise’s sad history. The Astros, who squandered a late lead in a 7-3 loss to San Diego on Thursday, won three straight home games over Chicago in May.

The Cubs have struggled in nearly every area, ranking near the bottom of the NL in both runs scored and runs allowed. Houston has — with the exception of Chicago — the worst road record in the majors at 9-25. The young Astros continue to struggle with their pitching, but the offense has improved thanks in part to the middle infield combination of 2B Jose Altuve and SS Jed Lowrie.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Bud Norris (5-4, 4.81 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Paul Maholm (4-6, 5.38)

Norris struggled mightily in his last four starts, giving up 19 runs in 15 2/3 innings, before going on the disabled list with a sprained left knee. Prior to that cold stretch, the right-hander had won four straight, holding opponents to one earned run in 26 innings while striking out 29. Norris has pitched well in six career games against the Cubs (3-2, 1.89 ERA, 35 K in 33 1/3 IP).

After back-to-back quality starts, Maholm was pummeled in his last start at Arizona, yielding seven runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings. The Cubs have lost seven of his last eight starts, with Maholm giving up at least two runs in each and four runs or more in five of those outings. Maholm has had success against Houston, going 11-6 with a 3.31 ERA in 20 lifetime starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Astros have won just 18 of their last 74 road games for an anemic .243 winning percentage.

2. Houston hitters are a combined 19-for-99 (.216) against Maholm, with most of those at-bats coming from 1B Carlos Lee (14-for-54, 7 RBIs). C Chris Snyder is 3-for-4 with two doubles and five RBIs.

3. The Cubs have lost five of Maholm’s last six starts against National League Central teams.