Chicago @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 8, 2011 ) Chi. Cubs 4, Pittsburgh 7

THE STORY: With a winning record at the All-Star break already assured, the Pittsburgh Pirates are shooting for first place in the National League Central. Pittsburgh clinched its first winning record at the break since 1992 when it rallied for a 7-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs in the opener of their three-game series Friday. The Pirates enter Saturday one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the Central. Chicago has lost six of its last eight games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), Root Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Ryan Dempster (5-6, 4.99 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Kevin Correia (11-6, 3.74).

Dempster will be making his first start since June 29 as he missed his last turn because of discomfort in his stomach and core. The 34-year-old is winless in his last four outings but has allowed three earned runs or less in seven of his last eight starts. Dempster is 7-11 lifetime against Pittsburgh, including a victory on May 29 in which he yielded two runs in six innings. Correia is looking to extend his personal winning streak to four games. He yielded two runs over six innings at Washington on Sunday for his 11th victory, one behind Atlanta's Jair Jurrjens and CC Sabathia of the New York Yankees for the major league lead. Correia has struggled at home this year, however, going 2-4 with a 5.40 ERA in seven starts and one relief appearance.

ABOUT THE PIRATES (46-42): Center fielder Andrew McCutchen homered and walked Friday, making it 22 games in a row against Chicago in which he has reached base safely. During his streak, he is hitting .413 (33-for-80) with four homers and 16 RBIs. Rookie catcher Michael McKenry doubled his career RBI total with a three-run homer. It was the first major league homer for the 26-year old, who is 15-for-62 (.242) in 20 games this season after going 0-for-8 in six contests with Colorado in 2010. Third baseman Josh Harrison returned to the lineup Friday and went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Harrison had been out since Monday because of dizziness.

ABOUT THE CUBS (36-54): Righthander Marcos Mateo, who landed on the disabled list earlier this week, underwent an MRI that revealed a strained forearm. Mateo is expected to be sidelined at least four weeks. Outfielder Fernando Perez, who has spent this season with Triple A Iowa, was released Friday. Perez has not appeared in the majors since 2009 with Tampa Bay. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez has homered in three of his last four games and has 10 blasts in his last 15 contests. Center fielder Marlon Byrd went 3-for-3 on Friday for his third multi-hit performance in five contests.

FINAL PITCH: The Cubs split their first 22 road games this year, but have gone 5-17 since.