Chicago @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 28, 2012 ) Chi. Cubs 3, Arizona 8

The Arizona Diamondbacks are playing for a winning season. The Chicago Cubs are playing for draft position. The Diamondbacks had their chance to make a run at the beginning of the month but never quite got the momentum headed in the right direction. After being mathematically eliminated on Friday, Arizona is still trying to end on a high note. The Cubs have dropped six straight.

Chicago is running out of pitching in its latest losing streak, having allowed at least five runs in each of the last six games. The Cubs are nearly locked into the second-worst record in baseball, and therefore the No. 2 pick in next June’s draft. The Diamondbacks are disappointed by not making the playoffs but can still clinch back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2007 and 2008. Justin Upton, who has been the symbol of Arizona’s inconsistency this season, hit a two-run homer on Friday to snap a 10-game homerless drought.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FSAZ (Arizona)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Justin Germano (2-9, 6.18 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Trevor Cahill (12-12, 3.86)

Germano has taken the loss in each of his last seven starts and is running out of time to secure himself a spot in Chicago’s future. The 30-year-old right-hander has not completed six innings in any of those seven starts and is coming off an effort against St. Louis last Sunday in which he allowed four runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 frames. Germano, who has bounced around the majors and minors over the last several seasons, has faced Arizona five times in his career, going 2-1 with a 5.24 ERA.

Cahill had a three-start winning streak snapped last time out, when he was knocked around for three runs - two earned - on nine hits in six innings at Colorado. The 24-year-old has surrendered two earned runs in each of his last four turns and has not allowed a home run since Aug. 10. Cahill struggled with his command against the Cubs on July 15, issuing three walks while yielding three runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings to suffer a loss.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt was scratched with a sore back on Friday. He is day-to-day.

2. Chicago 2B Darwin Barney was charged with an error on Friday, snapping his streak of errorless games at 141. That leaves him tied with Placido Polanco for the record.

3. Diamondbacks CF Chris Young (quad) is holding out hope of returning this season.