San Diego @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 18, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 5, San Diego 2

Although both are off to rocky starts, the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs each take a bit of momentum into their four-game series beginning Monday at Wrigley Field. The Padres are coming off their first three-game sweep of San Francisco in nearly three years and the Cubs claimed three of four at Miami over the weekend. It's the start of a 10-game homestand for the Cubs, who finished 4-6 on their road trip after a 6-4 loss Sunday.

Both squads have a lot more ground to make up to get back to .500, but they showed signs of turning things around over the weekend. The Padres scored 14 runs in their last two games against the Giants and blasted three home runs Sunday. The Cubs were plagued by their bullpen early in the season, but the relief corps was solid against the Marlins as Kevin Gregg picked up two saves by retiring the side in order in the ninth.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports San Diego, CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Clayton Richard (0-2, 7.94 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (1-4, 3.03)

Richard has only one quality start through his first four outings. He was touched up for six runs in 1 2/3 innings last time out against Milwaukee and has lost four straight decisions dating to last season. Richard has been dominant in two starts against the Cubs, going 2-0 with a 0.57 ERA, including a five-hit shutout last season.

Samardzija has lost four straight starts since a dominant performance on Opening Day, but he has recorded two quality starts during the losing streak and has been hurt by poor run support. He allowed only one run over six innings last time out at Cincinnati but wound up on the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat. Samardzija is 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA in four games (two starts) against San Diego.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Padres have not made an error in their past 12 games, the longest streak in franchise history.

2. The Cubs are hitting .271 as a team and are averaging 4.63 runs at home, compared with a .207 average and 2.68 runs per game on the road.

3. Padres 3B Chase Headley went 5-for-11 in the Giants series to raise his average 90 points to .250.

PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Padres 3