Pittsburgh @ Chicago preview

Pittsburgh at Chi. Cubs

Last Meeting ( Jun 7, 2013 ) Pittsburgh 2, Chi. Cubs 0

Runs are likely to be at a premium when the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs continue their three-game series Saturday at Wrigley Field - and not just because both teams will have their aces on the mound. Pittsburgh's A.J. Burnett and Chicago's Jeff Samardzija will try to keep two struggling offenses on their heels after the Pirates claimed a 2-0 win on Friday. Pittsburgh has scored two runs or fewer in six of its last eight games, and the Cubs managed only five hits Friday in being shut out for the fourth time this season.

The lack of offense has affected Burnett, who hasn't won since May 3 despite pitching well. The Pirates have scored more than three runs only once in his last seven outings. That isn't likely to change against Samardzija, who is 4-1 with a 0.98 ERA in 15 games (four starts) against Pittsburgh.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh), CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (3-6, 3.22 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (3-6, 2.96)

Burnett is coming off his worst outing of the season after surrendering three home runs and being charged with six runs over five innings in a loss at Atlanta. He had recorded seven straight quality starts before the dud against the Braves. Burnett is 6-2 with a 3.21 ERA in nine starts against the Cubs, and he struck out 10 and allowed three runs in 5 2/3 in a loss on Opening Day.

Samardzija has recorded four straight quality starts, including his first career shutout. He is coming off a no-decision in a loss against Arizona in which he allowed three runs over 6 1/3 innings and struck out 11. Samardzija is 1-1 against the Pirates this season despite having yielded only one run in 15 innings, as he was on the wrong end of a 1-0 loss in the last meeting.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pittsburgh has won five of seven meetings this season, outscoring Chicago 18-12.

2. Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen is the one player who has fared well against Samardzija, going 6-for-16 with three doubles.

3. Cubs SS Starlin Castro batted seventh for the third straight game Friday and went 0-for-3, dropping him to 2-for-26 in his past seven contests. Castro is 8-for16 against Burnett.

PREDICTION: Cubs 3, Pirates 2