Chicago @ San Diego preview
PETCO Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 24, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 3, San Diego 2
Although they play in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs have enjoyed significantly better results on the road. The Cubs vie for a series victory Sunday when they play the rubber match of their three-game series against the San Diego Padres. Darwin Barney homered and belted the go-ahead double as Chicago snapped a four-game losing skid with a 3-2 triumph Saturday.
The last-place Cubs, who are a semi-respectable 30-33 on the road, will face a familiar foe in former draft pick Andrew Cashner. While Chicago has enjoyed success versus Cashner this season, Will Venable torched the Cubs by belting a homer for the second straight contest. Venable, the National League Player of the Week, is 6-for-8 with four RBIs in the series.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FSN San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Chris Rusin (2-3, 3.08 ERA) vs. Padres RH Andrew Cashner (8-8, 3.74)
Rusin suffered his second straight loss Tuesday despite yielding only two runs on 10 hits in a 4-2 setback to Washington. The 26-year-old will welcome a return to the road, where he owns a 2-0 mark with a 2.11 ERA. Rusin, who will be making his 15th start, has yet to face San Diego in his career.
Cashner followed a three-game winning streak by dropping his last three trips to the mound. The 26-year-old deserved a better fate Monday after permitting three runs - one earned - in seven strong innings in a 3-1 setback to Pittsburgh. Cashner fell to 0-1 in three career starts versus Chicago after allowing five runs and walking four in a 6-2 loss on May 1.
WALK-OFFS
1. Venable has hit eight of his team-leading 19 homers since the All-Star break.
2. Chicago owns a 7-5 mark on the road against NL West teams in 2013. Last season, the Cubs won one of 19 such contests.
3. San Diego designated Edinson Volquez for assignment on Saturday and recalled fellow RHP Brad Brach from Triple-A Tucson.
PREDICTION: Padres 4, Cubs 3