Chicago @ Pittsburgh preview

Chi. Cubs at Pittsburgh

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2012 ) Pittsburgh 3, Chi. Cubs 0

A new season begins with tempered expectations for the long-suffering fans of the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates as the National League Central rivals launch the 2013 campaign with a matinee Monday in Pittsburgh. It brings an end to a difficult off-season for manager Clint Hurdle's Pirates, who were 16 games above .500 on Aug. 8 before going 16-46 the rest of the way to complete their 20th consecutive losing season.

The second season of new management brings the usual mix of hope and cynicism for the Cubs, who famously have not won a World Series since 1908. Chicago has built a collection of young talent led by shortstop Starlin Castro and slugging first baseman Anthony Rizzo, but the rebuilding process under Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer will be a long one as the Cubs lost 101 games in 2012.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (2012: 9-13, 3.81 ERA) vs. Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (16-10, 3.51)

Samardzija flourished as a starter last season, even if the wins didn't come often while pitching for a bad team. He recorded quality starts in 17 of his 28 outings, including his last four, and ended the season with a complete-game victory at Pittsburgh in which he struck out nine. Samardzija won both his starts against the Pirates in 2012, compiling 14 strikeouts and a 1.06 ERA in 17 innings.

The veteran right-hander Burnett has earned his first Opening Day assignment and will try to duplicate his outstanding start to the 2012 campaign, when he was 15-4 before winning only one of his last nine starts. Burnett dominated the Cubs last season, going 2-1 with a 1.40 ERA in three starts - including a one-hitter - and improving to 6-1 in eight career outings against Chicago.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs SS Starlin Castro is 6-for-13 against Burnett.

2. Pittsburgh's active roster is a combined 11-for-61 (.180) against Samardzija, but OF Andrew McCutchen has enjoyed limited success, going 3-for-10 against him with five strikeouts.

3. Gold Glove 2B Darwin Barney will sit out the opener for the Cubs after needing five stitches for a cut on his left knee.

PREDICTION: Pirates 3, Cubs 2