Arizona @ Chicago preview

Arizona at Chi. Cubs

Last Meeting ( May 31, 2013 ) Arizona 2, Chi. Cubs 7

After reeling off a season-best five-game winning streak, the Chicago Cubs will hand the ball back to the guy who got it started. Jeff Samardzija will look to build off his first career shutout when he and the Cubs continue a three-game series with the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday. The National League West-leading Diamondbacks have dropped two straight after a three-game winning streak.

Arizona will turn to right-hander Ian Kennedy, who returns to the rotation after missing his last scheduled start because he cut his hand while washing dishes at home. Kennedy will be charged with trying to keep the Cubs in the ballpark - they've hit 11 home runs during their five-game winning streak, including three in Friday's 7-2 win. The Cubs have won the past four meetings at Wrigley Field.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (2-3, 4.70 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (3-6, 2.85)

After a rough beginning to the season, Kennedy has shown signs of turning it around in his past three starts. He has a win and two quality starts during that span and is coming off a no-decision in which he allowed four runs (three earned) over six innings against Colorado. Kennedy is 2-2 with a 6.94 ERA in six starts against the Cubs.

Samardzija is 2-1 with a 1.13 ERA over his past three starts, and he turned in the best outing of his career by tossing a two-hitter against the White Sox on Monday. He has racked up at least eight strikeouts in seven of his 11 starts. In his only start against Arizona, Samardzija was tagged for five runs in as many innings to take the loss.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs LF Alfonso Soriano needs one home run to tie Orlando Cepeda and Tony Perez for 64th on the all-time list with 379. He is 6-for-11 with a double and three homers against Kennedy.

2. Arizona utility man Willie Bloomquist was activated from the disabled list Friday but was not available to play. He is expected to make his season debut Saturday after missing two months with a strained oblique suffered in spring training.

3. The Cubs have scored seven or more runs in four straight games after doing so only six times in their first 49 contests.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Diamondbacks 3