Jay Bruce attempts to match a franchise record when his Cincinnati Reds host the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a three-game series on Tuesday. Bruce has homered in four straight games, one shy of the club mark shared by Ted Kluszewski, Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn. The 25-year-old earned National League Player of the Week honors on Monday after hitting .476 with four blasts and 10 RBIs.
The Reds, who have won seven of 10 overall, are 4-2 on their nine-game homestand. Chicago, which lost two of three to Cincinnati at home from April 20-22, are coming off a four-game split in Philadelphia. The Cubs have yet to win a series at Citizens Bank Park, going 0-7-2. They did not fare well in Cincinnati last season as they lost seven of nine at Great American Ball Park.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CS Chicago Plus, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (2-1, 4.12 ERA) vs. Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (1-0, 2.70 ERA)
Samardzija will be making his first start since last Tuesday, when he tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings but received a no-decision against St. Louis. The 27-year-old allowed only four hits and struck out nine. Samardzija surrendered five runs in each of his previous two outings but managed to post a 1-1 record. He has split his two road starts this year despite yielding 10 runs over 8 2/3 innings.
Arroyo has pitched well in his last three starts following a rocky season debut but has only one win to show for his efforts. The veteran lasted only five innings in a no-decision against San Francisco on Wednesday, allowing two runs - one earned - and nine hits. Arroyo is 9-8 with a 2.91 ERA in 25 career meetings with Chicago.
WALK-OFFS
1. First baseman Bryan LaHair has hit five of the Cubs' major league-worst nine home runs.
2. Chicago's Tony Campana has hit safely in seven of his nine games, posting three multi-hit performances, and is a perfect 7 for 7 in stolen-base attempts.
3. Cincinnati's Miguel Cairo, who will celebrate his 38th birthday Friday, could be activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to Tuesday's game. The veteran has been out with a strained hamstring.