Chicago @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 3, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 0, Pittsburgh 3

Much has been made of their 20 straight losing seasons, but the Pittsburgh Pirates have made a habit of starting off on the right foot. They can continue that trend when they finish a three-game set with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday afternoon at PNC Park. The Pirates have won their first series of the season six of the last seven years, gaining a split of a four-game series in the other. They evened the set with Chicago with Wednesday's 3-0 victory.

Wandy Rodriguez was the star in Pittsburgh's first win of the season. He yielded just two hits in 6 2/3 scoreless innings, ending his night with a big strikeout with the bases loaded in the seventh. That was the only real threat the Cubs could muster against Rodriguez and two relievers. However, manager Dale Sveum has to be happy with the way his team has pitched out of the gate. Nine different pitchers have combined to allow nine hits and five walks in 18 innings, striking out 17 in the process.

TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Travis Wood (2012: 6-13, 4.27 ERA) vs. Pirates RH James McDonald (12-8, 4.21)

The 26-year-old Wood, who made his way into the Cubs rotation in May of last season, will be searching for a little more consistency in 2013. He was 4-3 with a 3.05 ERA entering the 2012 All-Star break before he began to have some struggles, only to rebound and finish strong. Included in that promising stretch run (3.03 ERA in his last six starts) was a gem at Pittsburgh on Sept. 7, when Wood allowed just one hit in six scoreless innings to lead Chicago to a 12-2 win. Facing the Pirates at Wrigley Field just 10 days later, Wood struck out a season-high nine. The southpaw was 3-1 with a 4.43 ERA in six games this spring.

McDonald made strides in 2012 with career highs in wins and strikeouts and a vast improvement in several other categories. However, he has yet to solve the Cubs. The lanky right-hander was 0-2 with a 7.04 ERA against a light-hitting Chicago club last year and is winless in seven career games (six starts) vs. the Cubs. On the bright side, the 28-year-old has shined in his career at PNC Park, going 15-5 in 39 career games, including a 6-2 record and a 2.73 ERA in 14 starts there last year. McDonald gave up nine earned runs in 19 1/3 innings this spring.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pittsburgh pitchers have recorded 24 strikeouts through the first two games.

2. The Cubs are 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position.

3. Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen owns a .332 (65-for-196) average with nine home runs and 31 RBIs in 58 career games against Chicago.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Cubs 3