Pittsburgh @ Chicago preview

Pittsburgh at Chi. Cubs

Last Meeting ( May 13, 2016 ) Pittsburgh 4, Chi. Cubs 9

The Chicago Cubs have won ace Jake Arrieta’s last 20 starts, and they’ve been perfect against the Pittsburgh Pirates so far this season. The first-place Cubs hope to continue both trends when they host the Pirates for the second of a three-game series Saturday.

Arrieta has been especially dominant against Pittsburgh, going 7-1 with a 1.50 ERA in 10 career starts against the Pirates. That includes seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball May 3 in Pittsburgh, and the reigning Cy Young Award winner isn’t concerned about facing the Pirates again in such short order. “I don’t mind,” Arrieta told reporters. “They’ve got the tape. They’ve had the tape. They’ve got plenty of tape. They’ve still got to hit it.” The Cubs haven’t had any trouble hitting scheduled Saturday starter Jeff Locke, who is 0-1 with an 8.31 ERA in four starts at Wrigley Field and has had difficulty with Anthony Rizzo (7-for-20, 3 HRs), Jason Heyward (7-for-19) and Dexter Fowler (4-for-9).

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), ABC 7 (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Jeff Locke (1-2, 4.68 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (6-0, 1.13)

Locke was rocked for eight runs in three-plus innings April 20 at San Diego, but he has posted three straight quality starts since. The 28-year-old has just one win to show for it, though, and is coming off a no-decision at St. Louis despite holding the Cardinals to three runs over six innings. Locke has struggled to a 1-2 record and a 5.83 ERA in nine starts against the Cubs, who tagged him for 18 earned runs in 18 innings over four meetings last season.

Arrieta has not allowed more than three earned runs in his last 27 starts, the longest streak in the majors since 1893, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The 30-year-old suffered his first no-decision of the season last time out against Washington, allowing three runs (two earned) over five innings in a game the Cubs eventually won in 13 innings. Arrieta has won 17 straight decisions dating to July 25 last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs are 4-0 against the Pirates this season and 14-2 against National League Central opponents.

2. Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen went 3-for-5 with a homer in Friday’s 9-4 loss and is 12-for-30 with two homers during a seven-game hitting streak.

3. Cubs SS Addison Russell hit his third homer of the season Friday and is 12-for-29 with 11 RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Pirates 1