Chicago @ San Diego preview

Chi. Cubs at San Diego

Last Meeting ( May 2, 2013 ) San Diego 4, Chi. Cubs 2

Edinson Volquez looks to continue his good fortune against the Chicago Cubs on Friday when he leads the host San Diego Padres into the opener of a three-game series. The 30-year-old Dominican right-hander improved to 5-0 in his career versus the Cubs on April 30 despite yielding four runs in 5 2/3 innings in San Diego's 13-7 triumph. The Padres wrapped up a 3-4 road trip with a 2-1 triumph against Pittsburgh on Wednesday to salvage the finale of a three-game series.

Donnie Murphy belted a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning on Thursday, but Chicago failed to capitalize on the momentum and suffered a 5-4 13-inning setback to Washington. The loss was the Cubs' third in a row and ninth in 11 outings. After dropping 16 of their last 19 at Wrigley Field, the last-place Cubs will retreat to what is the relatively safe haven of the road where they are only three games under .500 at 29-32.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), FSSD (San Diego)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Edwin Jackson (7-13, 4.89 ERA) vs. Padres RH Edinson Volquez (9-10, 5.72)

While Volquez is undefeated against Chicago, Jackson has yet to best San Diego in his career. The 29-year-old fell to 0-4 lifetime versus the Padres after yielding eight runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings in the slugfest on April 30. Jackson fell to 0-2 in three starts this month after allowing three runs (one earned) and four walks in six innings in a loss to St. Louis on Sunday.

Volquez snapped a two-start losing skid after permitting two runs in five innings en route to an 8-2 triumph over the New York Mets on Saturday. The hurler has been chaotically inconsistent this season - and can attribute his penchant for issuing walks as a reason for his elevated pitch counts. Volquez has walked multiple batters in his last five outings and 67 in 141 2/3 innings this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego OF Will Venable, who was named the National League Player of the Week, has hit safely in all but one game this month. Venable, however, is just 1-for-9 versus Jackson.

2. Murphy has belted four homers in as many contests and eight in 16 games. The 30-year-old journeyman has yet to face Volquez in his career.

3. Padres 1B Yonder Alonso, who drove in both runs against the Pirates on Wednesday, is batting .321 since the All-Star break.

PREDICTION: Padres 3, Cubs 2