Chicago @ San Diego preview

Chi. Cubs at San Diego

Last Meeting ( Aug 23, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 6, San Diego 8

Will Venable is doing his best to repeat as the National League Player of the Week. After belting the go-ahead homer in the series opener, Venable looks to bolster his sterling stretch on Saturday, when the host San Diego Padres continue their three-game set against the struggling Chicago Cubs. Venable added a two-run triple among his three hits as San Diego overcame a six-run, first-inning deficit to post an 8-6 triumph on Friday.

While the victory was the Padres' second straight and fourth in six outings, the Cubs have dropped 10 of their last 12. Nate Schierholtz highlighted his team's early uprising with a three-run homer. Schierholtz has fared well versus Saturday starter Eric Stults, going 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FSN (San Diego)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (7-11, 4.12 ERA) vs. Padres LH Eric Stults (8-10, 3.70)

Samardzija snapped a five-start winless streak by yielding one run on six hits in a complete-game gem versus Washington on Monday. The 28-year-old recorded a no-decision in his last outing against San Diego, allowing three runs and striking out eight over five innings. Samardzija walked four batters in that contest and 11 in 21 1/3 innings versus the Padres.

Stults saw his winless streak reach six games on Sunday after permitting three runs over 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision versus the New York Mets. The 33-year-old, who is 0-3 during that stretch, also received a no-decision when he faced the Cubs on May 2 after allowing two runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 frames. Stults has fared better at home, posting a 5-2 mark with a 2.50 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego 2B Jedd Gyorko went deep twice and drove in four runs on Friday. His 16 homers lead all rookies.

2. Chicago C Dioner Navarro has registered multiple hits in three of his last four contests.

3. Cubs LF Brian Bogusevic, who had a two-run triple on Friday, is riding a six-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Padres 2, Cubs 1