Arizona @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 13, 2012 ) Arizona 1, Chi. Cubs 8

The Arizona Diamondbacks are the team fighting to stay in the playoff race, but it is the Chicago Cubs - specifically starting pitcher Ryan Dempster - who will be getting most of the attention on Saturday. Dempster is one of the biggest prizes available before the upcoming July 31 deadline and should have scouts from 10 or more major league teams in attendance for his start against Justin Upton and the Diamondbacks.

The 35-year-old Dempster has little future with the rebuilding Cubs, making him one of the most likely players to be moved before the deadline. His recent results have only made the market larger. Alfonso Soriano, whose contract was thought to make him unmovable, may have created his own market with his play. The former All-Star went 4-for-4 with a pair of home runs on Friday and has hit all 17 of his home runs since May 15. Arizona cruised into the All-Star break with a three-game winning streak but managed only one run on seven hits in a series-opening loss on Friday.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FSAZ (Arizona), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Joe Saunders (4-5, 3.44 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Ryan Dempster (4-3, 1.99)

Saunders is expected to be activated off the disabled list for Saturday’s start after missing just under a month with a strained left shoulder. The veteran lefty had been pitching well prior to the injury, posting a 2.62 ERA in his last four starts. Saunders has never beaten the Cubs, going 0-2 with a 7.27 ERA in two chances.

Dempster returned from three weeks off due to a back injury and picked up right where he left off, tossing five scoreless innings and allowing four hits in a win at the New York Mets on July 8. The veteran right-hander is riding a 27-inning scoreless streak dating back to June 5 and has issued only three walks in that span. Dempster has struggled against Arizona in his career, posting a 2-8 record with a 6.72 ERA in 19 games (15 starts).

WALK-OFFS:

1. Dempster’s streak is the longest by a Chicago pitcher since Ken Holtzman posted 27 scoreless innings in 1971. Holtzman also had a streak of 33 straight scoreless frames in 1969.

2. The Diamondbacks will move Josh Collmenter to the bullpen to clear a rotation spot for Saunders, leaving rookie Trevor Bauer in the starting five.

3. Soriano’s 17 homers since May 15 are the most in the National League over that span.