Chicago @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2012 ) Chi. Cubs 12, Pittsburgh 2
The Chicago Cubs attempt to win consecutive games for just the second time since late July when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday in the middle game of their three-game series at PNC Park. Chicago halted its six-game overall losing streak and eight-game road skid with a 12-2 triumph in Friday's series opener, taking full advantage of seven Pittsburgh errors. The Cubs, who had dropped 30 of 36 overall contests and 17 of 18 away from home, are 1-4 on their 10-game road trip
Since capturing three in a row from July 28-30, Chicago has put together consecutive wins only once - Aug. 30 against Milwaukee and Aug. 31 versus San Francisco. Pittsburgh's shoddy defense led to its fifth loss in seven contests. The Pirates were fortunate to remain 1 1/2 games behind St. Louis for the second wild card spot in the National League as the Cardinals lost to Milwaukee in 13 innings.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), Root Sports (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (8-13, 3.91 ERA) vs. Pirates RH James McDonald (12-7, 3.90)
Samardzija will be making his final start of the season as he has worked 165 2/3 innings thus far in 2012 after pitching a combined 169 2/3 frames over his first four major-league seasons. The 27-year-old lost for the fifth time in six decisions Monday at Washington despite allowing just one run in seven innings. Samardzija won his first career start against the Pirates in Pittsburgh on July 23, yielding one hit over eight scoreless frames.
McDonald was pounded in Milwaukee on Sunday, surrendering eight runs in just 2 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old, who allowed three runs or less in each of his first 14 starts this year, has given up at least four runs in eight of his last 10 outings. McDonald fell to 0-2 lifetime against Chicago on July 24, when he yielded five runs over six innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. With his next victory, McDonald will join A.J. Burnett (15) as Pittsburgh's first pair of 13-game winners since 1999.
2. Cubs CF Brett Jackson left Friday's game in the sixth inning with a bruised right knee.
3. Pirates OF Starling Marte returned from a strained right oblique and drove in one of his team's two runs but also committed two of Pittsburgh's seven errors.