Chicago @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 28, 2013 ) Seattle 6, Chi. Cubs 4

The Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners meet for only the third different time when a three-game series begins Friday at Safeco Field. The Mariners took two of three from the Cubs in Seattle in 2010, while Chicago won two of three contests at Wrigley Field in 2007. The Cubs have won four of their last six games entering this series while the Mariners have lost seven of their last 10.

Chicago outfielder Alfonso Soriano will be used primarily as a designated hitter during a six-game road trip that ends with three games in Oakland. Soriano has experienced a miserable June, batting just .191 with one homer to drop his season mark to .245. Seattle outfielder Raul Ibanez, who has four homers and seven RBIs over the last four games, has gone deep 18 times - one shy of his 2012 total with the New York Yankees.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Travis Wood (5-6, 2.85 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (7-3, 2.26)

Wood is 0-3 in June despite a 3.12 ERA as Chicago has recorded just six runs in his four starts. He settled for a no-decision in his last outing against the Houston Astros when he gave up three runs and five hits in six innings. Wood has allowed more than three earned runs just once in 15 starts this season.

Iwakuma had a 1.79 ERA before allowing eight runs and 14 hits in 12 innings in back-to-back losses to the Oakland Athletics. He gave up three homers last Friday after going four consecutive starts without allowing one. Iwakuma is 3-1 with a 1.46 ERA in eight home starts this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs have an 8-3 record against American League teams this season.

2. The Mariners have allowed nine or more runs in four of their last 10 games.

3. Chicago’s 9-16 record in one-run games is the worst in the majors.

PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Mariners 1