Chicago @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 4, Arizona 10

The Arizona Diamondbacks are not content to let the Los Angeles Dodgers run away with the National League West. Arizona attempts to take back the division lead when it hosts the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. The Diamondbacks' second half got off to a slow start as they allowed the Dodgers to surge past them, but a win over the Cubs on Tuesday has them no worse than one-half game back.

Arizona totaled eight runs in dropping three of its first four games after the break but exploded for 10 on Tuesday. Adam Eaton and A.J. Pollock combined for five hits from the top two spots in the lineup, leaving plenty of baserunners for Paul Goldschmidt and Eric Chavez to drive home. The Cubs are shedding players as the trade deadline gets near, and left fielder Alfonso Soriano could be the next to leave town.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), FSN (Arizona)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (6-9, 3.91 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (3-7, 5.29)

Samardzija allowed 14 runs over 10 2/3 innings in his final two starts before the All-Star break but came back refreshed and held the Colorado Rockies to one run on four hits in 7 1/3 frames to earn the win on Friday. The Notre Dame product still struggled with his command with three walks and a solo home run allowed but struck out six to help limit the damage. Samardzija fanned 11 in 6 1/3 innings against Arizona on June 1 but settled for a no-decision.

Kennedy has not won since June 1 and has absorbed the loss in each of his last three starts. The right-hander showed some improvement by holding the San Francisco Giants to two runs on Friday but did not get enough support to get back into the win column. Kennedy’s last victory came at Chicago, when he held the Cubs to four runs on three hits while striking out seven in seven innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The New York Yankees reportedly are interested in acquiring Soriano.

2. Arizona LHP Matt Reynolds (elbow) is scheduled to throw on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a slight tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow on June 11.

3. Chicago rookie OF Junior Lake has homered in each of the first two games of the series and is 12-for-22 in his first five major-league contests.

PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Diamondbacks 5