Pittsburgh @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 31, 2012 ) Pittsburgh 5, Chi. Cubs 0

Chicago starter Travis Wood aims to put a historically bad outing behind him when the Cubs host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of a three-game series. Wood became the first starting pitcher in baseball history to allow a homer in each of the first five innings as he lost to the St. Louis Cardinals last Friday. The teams have split the first two games of the series with Pittsburgh’s A.J. Burnett hurling a one-hit shutout Tuesday.

The Pirates are three games behind the first-place Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central but are tied with the Atlanta Braves for the two NL wild-card spots. Pittsburgh has fortified itself for a playoff run by adding starter Wandy Rodriguez from the Houston Astros last week, then dealing for Miami Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez and New York Yankees reliever Chad Qualls prior to Tuesday’s trading deadline. Chicago is looking ahead to the future after trading starting pitchers Ryan Dempster to Texas and Paul Maholm to Atlanta prior to the deadline.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jeff Karstens (3-2, 3.88 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Travis Wood (4-6, 4.98)

Karstens has won three straight decisions and has pitched seven or more innings in four of his last five starts. The exception was his last outing when he gave up four runs and six hits in five innings while receiving a no-decision against the Houston Astros. Karstens is 4-3 with a 3.83 ERA in nine career appearances (seven starts) against the Cubs. He hasn’t faced Chicago this season.

Wood has lost three straight starts and has given up 22 earned runs in 15 2/3 innings during the span. He was tagged for eight runs in five innings in the outing against the Cardinals. Wood has allowed 10 homers in his last four starts. He hasn’t pitched against the Pirates this season is 2-2 with a 6.59 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against Pittsburgh.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 2B Darwin Barney is likely out Wednesday after being hit in the head with a pitch Tuesday and treated for a possible concussion.

2. Pittsburgh 2B Neil Walker hit a grand slam while tying his career high of five RBIs on Tuesday. Walker batted .358 with seven homers and 21 RBIs in July.

3. Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano is batting .438 with two homers in 16 career at-bats against Karstens.