Pittsburgh @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 30, 2012 ) Pittsburgh 4, Chi. Cubs 14

A.J. Burnett has always fared well against the Chicago Cubs. The Pittsburgh Pirates starter strives to improve his career mark to 6-0 against the host Cubs in Tuesday’s second contest of the three-game series. A strong outing by Burnett is crucial after the Pirates were pounded 14-4 in Monday’s series opener. Ryan Dempster, the subject of numerous trade rumors leading up to Tuesday’s deadline, is slated to start for the Cubs.

Chicago’s 14 runs represented a season-high total and the Cubs have won 11 of their last 13 home games. Chicago made two trades during Monday’s game by sending pitcher Paul Maholm and outfielder Reed Johnson to the Atlanta Braves for minor-league pitchers Arodys Vizcaino and Jaye Chapman. The Cubs also shipped catcher Geovany Soto to the Texas Rangers for minor-league pitcher Jacob Brigham. Pittsburgh also made a deal Monday, acquiring outfielder Travis Snider from the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher Brad Lincoln. The Pirates are three games behind the first-place Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (12-3, 3.52 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Ryan Dempster (5-5, 2.25)

Burnett has won two consecutive starts and 11 of his last 12 decisions. He gave up two runs and four hits in 7 1/3 innings while beating the Houston Astros in his last start. Burnett defeated Dempster and the Cubs on May 25 when he pitched 5 1/3 shutout innings. He has a 3.47 ERA in six career outings against Chicago.

Dempster has lost back-to-back starts after winning his previous five outings. He has sported one of the top ERAs in the majors nearly all season. Dempster allowed just one run and seven hits in 7 1/3 innings of the 1-0 loss to Burnett earlier this season. He also lost to the Pirates in his last outing when he gave up three runs and five hits in six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo hit a three-run homer during Chicago’s nine-run fifth inning and has eight homers in 28 games since being recalled from Triple-A Iowa.

2. Pittsburgh failed to homer in Monday’s opener, ending a streak of going deep in 19 consecutive road games.

3. Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano is just 3-for-15 with seven strikeouts against Burnett.