San Diego @ Chicago preview

San Diego at Chi. Cubs

Last Meeting ( May 1, 2013 ) San Diego 2, Chi. Cubs 6

After going more than three weeks between series victories, the Chicago Cubs will try to claim their second straight four-game set when they wrap things up with a matinee against the visiting San Diego Padres on Thursday. Both teams have won five of their last seven games, but remain in last place in their respective divisions.

The Cubs have taken two of the first three against the Padres after a 6-2 victory Wednesday in which Scott Feldman struck out 12 in a complete game. They'll look to left-hander Travis Wood to follow his lead, but will have a fresh bullpen if Wood gets into trouble. San Diego's inconsistent offense racked up a season-high 13 runs in Tuesday's win, but managed only three hits against Feldman with both runs coming on solo homers.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, Fox Sports San Diego, Comcast SportsNet Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Eric Stults (2-2, 5.67 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Travis Wood (2-1, 2.25)

Stults has notched only one quality start in his first five outings and he had his worst performance of the season last time out against San Francisco. He lasted four innings and gave up five runs, but the Padres rallied late to get him off the hook. Stults is 1-3 with a 5.21 ERA in four starts against the Cubs, including an 0-3 mark and a 7.24 ERA in three outings at Wrigley Field.

Wood has recorded quality starts in all five of his outings and he picked up his second win last time out at Miami. He held the Marlins to two runs - a pair of Giancarlo Stanton homers - over six innings. Wood is 0-1 with a 4.21 ERA in five games (four starts) against San Diego. Wood is still looking for his first win at Wrigley Field since July 1, a span of 11 starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Padres have hit eight home runs in their past four games after hitting only 12 in their first 22 contests.

2. Cubs' starting pitchers have recorded 16 quality starts but have only five wins.

3. Padres C Nick Hundley and 3B Chase Headley are both 10-for-25 during six-game hitting streaks. Headley is 6-for-12 with two homers against Wood and Hundley is 2-for-6 with a double.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Padres 3