Houston @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2011 ) Houston 1, Chi. Cubs 5

THE STORY: The Chicago Cubs swept a three-game home series nearly two years ago Sunday - and haven't done it again since. Matt Garza will look to end the bizarre home-field drought as the Cubs eye a sweep of the league-worst Houston Astros on Sunday. Houston counters with rookie Jordan Lyles, who is looking for his first major-league win.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FS Houston, WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Jordan Lyles (0-5, 4.55 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Matt Garza (4-7, 3.80).

Lyles' peripheral stats aren't terrible - his WHIP (1.28) and opposing batting average (.256) should have netted him at least a few wins along the way. But the Astros haven't done him many favors, scoring three runs or fewer in six of his nine starts. The 20-year-old held the Cubs to a pair of runs over seven innings in his first career start May 31, but settled for a no-decision. Garza hasn't been getting any run support lately, either. The 27-year-old has allowed only one run over his last two starts - a span of 14 innings - but has a pair of no-decisions to show for it. Garza hasn't earned a victory since June 27 versus the Colorado Rockies, and is 0-2 lifetime against the Astros despite a sparkling 3.21 ERA over 14 innings.

ABOUT THE ASTROS (33-67): Houston entered their series with Chicago on a high following consecutive victories over the Washington Nationals. But after two games in the Windy City, the Astros are back to feeling low. Houston has scored only three times against a suspect Chicago pitching staff, and all of its 19 hits have been singles. Only four current members of the Houston roster have faced Garza, but they have fared well overall. Hunter Pence is 3-for-7 against him, while Carlos Lee and Michael Bourn each have two hits in seven at-bats. Clint Barmes has the only home run.

ABOUT THE CUBS (41-60): If only Chicago could face Houston all year. Coming into the series with one of the worst ERAs in baseball, the Cubs have limited the Astros' scoring chances to put themselves in position for their first three-game winning streak of the season. A victory would also give Chicago its first home sweep of three or more games since it won three straight against Cincinnati from July 24-26, 2009. Garza's track record at Wrigley Field has been strong so far this season. Though he is only 3-3 in 10 starts there, he has a sparkling 2.71 ERA while limiting opposing hitters to a .224 average.

FINAL PITCH: Dating back to the last game of the Washington series, the Astros have hit 27 consecutive singles without an extra-base hit.