Chicago @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( May 17, 2012 ) Philadelphia 8, Chi. Cubs 7

Someone's luck has to change when the slumping Chicago Cubs travel to face the fading Philadelphia Phillies in a three-game set starting Tuesday. The Phillies have lost their last five series - including a three-game sweep against Atlanta over the weekend - and have dropped five straight and 13 of their last 14 contests to fall out of contention in the National League East. The Cubs haven't been much better and have lost seven of eight after being swept in four games by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Cubs have played well away from home - they're one of three major-league teams with more wins on the road than at home - and have won their last three road contests. The offense faltered against the Dodgers, as Chicago was shut out in the last two games of the series and hasn't scored a run in 23 innings. Philadelphia is 27-26 at home but has lost five of the first six contests of a nine-game homestand.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Edwin Jackson (7-11, 4.65 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Kyle Kendrick (9-8, 4.29)

After a rough beginning to his Cubs tenure, Jackson turned things around in July, going 3-1 with a 1.83 ERA in five outings - including four straight quality starts. The 29-year-old twirled eight innings of one-run ball to beat Milwaukee his last time out. Jackson is 1-4 with a 4.45 ERA in five starts versus Philadelphia, in part because Jimmy Rollins is 4-for-6 with two homers against him.

Kendrick continued his recent struggles in Wednesday's loss to San Francisco, allowing seven runs and eight hits in just two innings. He has a whopping 9.88 ERA over his last three starts and allowed six or more runs in three of his five outings in July. The 28-year-old is 0-1 but boasts a 1.69 ERA in four games (three starts) against the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies LF Darin Ruf has reached base in 32 straight games - every game he has started over the past two seasons - for the longest streak by a Philadelphia player since Chase Utley reached safely in 33 straight from Sept. 7, 2008, to April 22, 2009.

2. The Cubs on Monday claimed OF Thomas Neal off waivers from the New York Yankees and transferred RHP Rafael Dolis to the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster.

3. Philadelphia OF Dominic Brown is expected to rejoin the club Wednesday. The All-Star has been out with a concussion since July 23.

PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Cubs 3