Astros at Cubs
Runs have been hard to come by in the first two games between the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs, and that seems likely to continue with two talented, young pitchers on the mound for Sunday's series finale at Wrigley Field. The former National League Central rivals have split a pair of low-scoring contests, with Chicago winning 3-1 on Friday before Houston rallied for a 4-3 victory Saturday. Cubs ace Jeff Samardzija and up-and-coming Astros right-hander Jordan Lyles will take the ball in the rubber match.
The Cubs find themselves in the NL Central cellar - a spot the Astros occupied the past two seasons - after losing five of their last seven. The Astros also are in last place in their new home in the American League West, but they have won seven of their last 10 and are trying to claim their third straight series victory. The Cubs won the season series each of the last two years, winning eight of 15 meetings in 2011 and 2012.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, CSN Houston
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Jordan Lyles (4-1, 3.22 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (4-7, 3.35)
Lyles hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of his seven starts since his last defeat May 12 against Texas, and he has gone seven innings in his last three outings. Over his last two starts, he has piled up 15 strikeouts and allowed only one run in 14 innings. Lyle is 1-0 with a 2.50 ERA in three starts against the Cubs.
Samardzija turned in an outstanding effort in his last start, beating St. Louis with 8 1/3 innings of two-run ball. He is trying to win consecutive starts for the first time all season. Samardzija is 3-2 with a 3.60 ERA in 17 career games against the Astros and is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in two starts against them, both last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs are hitting .210 as a team in 20 games this month with SS Starlin Castro (.138) and 1B Anthony Rizzo (.188) at the heart of the offensive struggles.
2. Fifteen of Houston's 29 wins have been comeback victories. The Astros trailed 3-0 on Saturday before rallying for a 4-3 win.
3. Chicago is 3-36 when allowing four or more runs.