Pirates, Cubs start series with matinee at Wrigley

Snell will try for his third straight win today, but will have to do so against a Cubs club he has struggled against in his career. The right-hander is just 1-4 with a 5.36 earned run average in eight games (6 starts) lifetime against Chicago, and went 0-2 in three starts against the Cubs last year.

The 26-year-old has rebounded from a no-decision in his Opening Day start on March 31 with two solid outings. Snell struck out 10 batters and gave up just two runs (1 earned) in a victory over Florida on April 6 before earning his second win with a three-run 6 1/3-inning effort versus the Reds on Saturday.

Snell did not pitch in the series against Chicago in Pittsburgh from April 7-10, a set that ended with a three-game sweep for the Cubs. Overall, Chicago has won six straight against the Pirates and won four of six at home against them last year.

The Pirates have struggled offensively in their last two games, both losses. After getting drubbed 11-2 on Tuesday to halt a four-game winning streak, Pittsburgh was defeated by Los Angeles, 8-1.

Adam LaRoche knocked in the lone run, while Paul Maholm (0-2) allowed six runs -- four earned -- on 11 hits over five frames for Pittsburgh. The left- hander walked a pair and struck out two.

Nate McLouth extended his hitting streak to a career-high 15 games for Pittsburgh. He is batting .382 on the season and is a career .292 hitter (21- for-72) versus the Cubs.

Chicago failed to earn a sweep in its recent set with the Reds, who picked up a 9-2 win over the Cubs on Thursday. Reed Johnson was 4-for-4 and Henry Blanco drove in a run for the Cubs, whose three-game win streak came to an end.

Starter Ted Lilly (0-3) was charged with six hits and five runs over six frames in the loss, despite fanning six with three walks and driving in Chicago's first run with a bases-loaded walk.

Chicago fell to 2-1 on an eight-game homestand with the loss.

Chicago is 9-2 in Rich Hill's last 11 starts dating back to last year, and the left-hander will take the mound today. Hill, though, has struggled in two starts this year, posting a 5.00 ERA without a decision.

Hill gave up two runs on four hits and three walks in a start versus Houston on April 4, but allowed three runs and three hits while lasting just three innings on Thursday against Pittsburgh. He also walked four while striking out three.

The 28-year-old is 2-1 with a 4.08 ERA in six starts against the Pirates.