Chicago @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 26, 2011 ) Chi. Cubs 0, San Diego 2

THE STORY: They may have been eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago, but the San Diego Padres are determined to finish on a high note. The Padres have won seven of their last 10 entering Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park. San Diego and Chicago have identical records with two games remaining.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, CSN, Channel 4SD

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Matt Garza (9-10, 3.35 ERA) vs. Padres RH Anthony Bass (2-0, 1.66 ERA)

Garza tossed his second complete game of the season last Wednesday when he limited Milwaukee to one unearned run on six hits while striking out 10. Garza, who has won three straight starts, is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in two career starts against the Padres.

Bass, who is making his third career start, is substituting for an injured Tim Stauffer (forearm). Bass is 2-0 as a starter with a 0.90 ERA, allowing two runs - one earned - in 10 innings.

ABOUT THE CUBS (70-90): Catcher Steve Clevenger made his first major league start on Monday and went 0-for-3. Originally drafted as a shortstop, Clevenger hit .295 with five home runs in 95 games with Double-A Tennessee this season. The 25-year-old will work on improving his defense this winter in the Dominican League. Most observers expect Andrew Cashner to compete for a spot in the Cubs’ rotation next season, but he’ll be working as a reliever in the Arizona Fall League beginning next week. Cashner, who strained his rotator cuff on April 5, has pitched out of the bullpen since he was activated earlier this month. Cashner said he would prefer to start, but the Cubs want him to build up his arm strength during the winter.

ABOUT THE PADRES (70-90): After starting the season 0-5 with a 4.86 ERA, Mat Latos finished strong in the second half. Latos has allowed three runs or fewer in all but one of his 14 outings since the All-Star break, and he’s been nearly unbeatable in September with a 3-1 record and 1.96 ERA in 36?2/3 innings. While Latos figures to be the Padres' opening day starter next year, the rest of the rotation has plenty of question marks. A lot depends if pending free agent Aaron Harang returns. If he doesn’t, Stauffer and Cory Luebke are likely penciled in for the second and third spots. Bass could join Clayton Richard, Dustin Moseley and Wade LeBlanc in the battle to complete the rotation. Top pitching prospects Simon Castro and Casey Kelly will likely begin the year in the minors.

FINAL PITCH: Padres closer Heath Bell, who recorded his 43rd save Monday, has saved 40-plus games in three straight seasons. His 132 saves since 2009 lead the majors.