Chicago @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 21, 2018 ) Chi. Cubs 4, Chi. White Sox 10

The Chicago Cubs have been pounded in two straight games, a trend they hope to cut short when they play the middle contest of a three-game series at the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. After falling 9-0 at Arizona on Wednesday, the Cubs opened the Windy City Showdown with a 10-4 loss on Friday.

Seven Cubs pitchers allowed a team season-high 19 hits as the club saw its lead in the National League Central division reduced to 1 1/2 games over Milwaukee. The setback came at the end of a tumultuous day for the Cubs, who saw shortstop Addison Russell placed on administrative leave by major league baseball after his ex-wife's accusations of domestic violence. The club will try to turn a page behind stalwart Jon Lester opposite Lucas Giolito for the hosts. Ryan LaMarre was 3-for-3 with three RBIs and Kevan Smith went 2-for-2 with three runs knocked in to pace Friday's attack for the White Sox, who have won two in a row following a 3-10 slide.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago (Cubs), WGN (White Sox)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (16-6, 3.43 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (10-11, 5.77)

Lester reached the 30-start mark for the 11th straight year in a win over Cincinnati last Saturday, holding the Reds to two hits with nine strikeouts over seven scoreless innings. The 34-year-old is 4-1 with a 1.73 ERA over a span of six starts, including three on the road in which he's allowed one run across a total of 17 2/3 innings. Lester defeated the White Sox with 5 2/3 solid frames earlier in the year and he is 8-6 all time against the crosstown rivals.

After finishing August with four straight quality starts - during which he went 3-0 - Giolito is 0-2 with a 6.91 ERA in three September outings. He gave up six runs (four earned) while striking out just one batter over six innings at Baltimore on Sunday. The 24-year-old defeated the Cubs earlier in the year, allowing two hits and walking seven in 5 2/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox OF/DH Daniel Palka has five home runs in his last five games.

2. Cubs 2B Daniel Murphy is 5-for-9 with two homers, three RBIs and five runs scored over a three-game stretch.

3. White Sox 2B Yoan Moncado has consecutive three-hit efforts and is batting .324 in September.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, White Sox 4