Chicago @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2012 ) Chi. Cubs 2, Pittsburgh 0

Pittsburgh’s quest for its first six-game winning streak since May 2008 was cut short by Jeff Samardzija, who tossed eight one-hit innings in Chicago’s 2-0 victory on Monday. The Cubs had been outscored 23-1 in losing three straight games in St. Louis over the weekend, but they won for the first time in four games at PNC Park this season after being swept by the Pirates in May. Pittsburgh still owns the best home record in the major leagues at 32-15.

The Cubs have scored fewer runs than any team in baseball, but their pitching has improved recently. Chicago’s team ERA has been more than half a run lower in July, helping the team win 15 of its last 23 games. Pittsburgh, still just 1 1/2 games behind Cincinnati in the National League Central, has been riding a solid pitching staff and the torrid hitting of All-Star CF Andrew McCutchen, who leads the major leagues in batting, slugging percentage and OPS and is batting .484 in July.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Comcast Sports (Chicago), ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Paul Maholm (8-6, 4.09 ERA) vs. Pirates RH James McDonald (10-3, 2.93)

Maholm has been excellent of late, giving up just three runs in his last five outings (0.89 ERA) and winning all four of his starts during that time. He has also struck out 20 while walking just four during his current hot streak, which dates to a June 29 win over Houston. Maholm, who took a no-decision at Pittsburgh on May 26 (5 IP, 2 ER), is just 2-4 with a 6.15 ERA on the road this year.

McDonald is enjoying a breakthrough campaign in 2012, but he has struggled in his last two starts, giving up 11 runs in 9 2/3 innings of work. A lack of control hasn’t helped - the right-hander has walked 14 in his last four starts after allowing just 26 free passes in his first 15 outings. McDonald has faced the Cubs four times in his career, going 0-1 with a 4.66 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Pirates are a combined 26-for-67 (.388) against Maholm. SS Clint Barmes is 13-for-29 (.448) with three doubles, a triple, two home runs and nine runs batted in.

2. Chicago hitters are just 6-for-35 (.171) against McDonald, with 2B Darwin Barney (2-for-7) and SS Starlin Castro (2-for-9) accounting for most of those six hits. C Geovany Soto is 1-for-6 with a solo homer.

3. Pittsburgh’s loss Monday was just its seventh in its last 30 home games.