Pittsburgh @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 28, 2010 ) Pittsburgh 2, Chi. Cubs 1
The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the worst teams in baseball but that doesn't mean they can't have another team's number. Just ask the Chicago Cubs.
The Pirates snapped a long road losing streak on Monday and will look to continue their dominance of the Cubs when the teams resume their three-game series Tuesday at Wrigley Field.
Prior to Monday's result, Pittsburgh had not won a road game since a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on May 25. It figures that the Pirates would defeat the Cubs to end the skid as Pittsburgh has won eight of 10 against Chicago this season.
In Monday's 2-1 victory, Paul Maholm (5-6) allowed one run and seven hits in eight innings and did not walk a batter for the Pirates. The eight innings were a season high for Maholm.
The Pirates will need another strong start if they are to win a second straight home game - and they will turn to Jeff Karstens to get it.
Karstens (2-2, 4.60 ERA) has appeared in 14 games this season, making eight starts. He is 1-1 in his last five outings, including a no-decision against the Cubs on June 1 when he went six innings and allowed two runs and six hits in a 3-2 victory for Pittsburgh.
Karstens is 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in five career games against the Cubs, including four starts.
While Pittsburgh is coming off a rare road win, Chicago has its own problems.
Injuries, sub-par performances and failure to live up to expectations have comprised the season for the Cubs so far. The most recent setback to the Pirates dropped the Cubs to 10 games under .500 - and things are getting worse.
Chicago announced on Monday that Carlos Zambrano will be placed on the restricted list and he is expected to be out until at least the All-Star break. Zambrano has been suspended without pay for the past three games, stemming from a tirade in the dugout Friday that led to a confrontation with Chicago first baseman Derrek Lee.
Trying to make the Cubs forget their troubles will be starter Ted Lilly.
Lilly (2-6, 3.28 ERA) has been pitching well but just does not get any run support. In his last eight starts Lilly has given up three runs or less seven times - yet he has one win in that span.
Lilly will be facing the Pirates for the fourth time this season and he is 0-2 with a no-decision to date. The Cubs are 1-2 in games that Lilly has started against Pittsburgh this season.