Pittsburgh @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 9, 2011 ) Arizona 2, Pittsburgh 0

THE STORY: As the Arizona Diamondbacks close in on their fifth National League West Division title, starter Ian Kennedy tries to join Detroit's Justin Verlander as the only pitchers in the majors to reach the 20-win plateau Monday in the opener of a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kennedy also would become the fourth Diamondback with 20 victories and first since Brandon Webb notched 22 in 2008. Arizona's magic number for its first NL West title since 2007 is five as it owns a five-game lead over San Francisco with nine remaining. The Pirates have lost eight of 10 and were outscored 28-4 in dropping their last three to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, Root Sports (Pittsburgh), FSN (Arizona)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jeff Karstens (9-8, 3.45 ERA) or RH Charlie Morton (9-10, 3.81 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (19-4, 2.99 ERA).

Karstens has won just once in his last nine starts. He escaped with a no-decision against St. Louis on Tuesday after allowing four runs in 4 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old has pitched 16 scoreless innings in two career starts against Arizona, including a seven-inning no-decision on June 9. Morton has lost four straight starts and is just 1-5 in his last 10. He suffered the loss Wednesday against St. Louis despite allowing three runs in seven innings. Morton has not faced the Diamondbacks since April 9, 2010, when he was pounded for eight runs over 3 1/3 frames at Chase Field. Kennedy has won four straight decisions and 11 of his last 12. He allowed more than three runs for the first time in 13 starts Tuesday, yielding four over six innings in a no-decision at Los Angeles. The Cy Young Award candidate surrendered one earned run over six frames in his only career outing against the Pirates on Sept. 17, 2010, at Pittsburgh.

ABOUT THE PIRATES (68-85): Pittsburgh is desperately looking for a decent performance from a starting pitcher after its lost weekend in Los Angeles. After a strong outing by Ross Ohlendorf on Thursday, the trio of rookie Jeff Locke, James McDonald and Brad Lincoln combined to surrender 14 runs and 20 hits over just 7 2/3 innings. Matt Pagnozzi, who was claimed off waivers from Colorado on Wednesday, became the club-record 52nd player used by the Pirates this year when he pinch hit Saturday. If he makes an appearance behind the plate, Pagnozzi will be the eighth catcher used by the club in 2011, its highest amount since 1953 (eight). The team record is nine in 1914.

ABOUT THE DIAMONDBACKS (88-65): Arizona, which is kicking off a season-ending nine-game homestand, is 30-17 all-time at home against Pittsburgh and 12-4 since 2006. The Diamondbacks have not dropped a home series to the Pirates since losing three of four in May 2005. Arizona posted a 43-38 record on the road this season. It had a winning mark away from home for the fifth time in franchise history and first since going 41-40 in 2005.

FINAL PITCH: Arizona's J.J. Putz struck out the only batter he faced Sunday against San Diego to record his 20th consecutive save. He is two away from matching the franchise record set from June 13-Sept. 22, 1998, by Gregg Olson.