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Cubs-Pirates Preview

May 3, 2010 - 11:31 PM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

Chicago (13-13) at Pittsburgh (10-15), 7:05 p.m. EDT

Since signing with Chicago four years ago, Alfonso Soriano has experienced times when he's been locked in at the plate and carried the Cubs, and instances when he's slumped and been booed mercilessly.

He's in the midst of another one of his hot streaks, and facing a beleaguered Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff should only help.

Soriano looks to continue his torrid hitting and help the Cubs get over .500 for the first time this season Tuesday night when they open a three-game series against the Pirates.

Knee injuries limited Soriano to 20 home runs and 55 RBIs in 117 games last season, and he got off to slow start to this year, hitting .214 with a solo homer in his first nine games for Chicago (13-13). The seven-time All-Star has gradually been improving at the plate, and is coming off an outstanding weekend, going 7 for 11 with four home runs, two doubles and 10 RBIs in three games against Arizona.

Soriano homered twice and doubled in Sunday's 10-5 win over the Diamondbacks to help the Cubs take three of four in the series.

"Sori looks really good up there," said Tom Gorzelanny, Sunday's winning pitcher. "It's fun to watch him and know that each time, he's got a chance to crush the ball."

While Soriano has experienced many highs and lows in his career with Chicago, the Pirates are probably wondering how come he always seems to be in the midst of one of his hot streaks when they play.

Since his first season with the Cubs in 2007, Soriano is batting .358 against the Pirates, his best against any NL opponent in the span. His 14 homers versus Pittsburgh since 2007 are tied for his most against any team.

Adding to these totals might not be too difficult considering the state of the Pirates pitching staff.

Pittsburgh (10-15) has a major league-worst 6.79 ERA, and has allowed two home runs in five of its last seven games.

Scheduled starter Paul Maholm (1-2, 4.83 ERA) has been one of the Pirates' most reliable arms, but he hasn't had much luck lately against the Cubs, or Soriano.

Maholm is 0-1 with a 10.35 ERA in his last four starts against Chicago, and the Cubs left fielder is 6 for 18 with three homers lifetime against him.

The left-hander is coming off a tough outing, giving up four runs and seven hits - including two home runs - with a season-worst five walks in seven innings of Wednesday's 6-5, 14-inning win in Milwaukee.

Chicago counters with Ryan Dempster (2-1, 2.78), who allowed three runs and four hits - including two homers - in eight innings of Wednesday's 3-2 loss to Washington. The right-hander had given up just one home run in 27 2-3 innings over his first four starts.

Dempster hopes things go smoother against a Pittsburgh team he is 3-0 with a 3.73 ERA in five starts against since 2008.

The Cubs went 10-4 against the Pirates last season, and have won eight of nine at PNC Park.

The Pirates return home after going 3-7 on a road trip to Houston, Milwaukee and Los Angeles. They lost to the Dodgers 9-3 on Sunday, and were outscored 20-8 in the four-game series.

One bright spot for Pittsburgh is Garrett Jones, who had two doubles and drove in his team-leading 15th run Sunday, one day after checking himself into a hospital because of a blockage of food in his esophagus. Jones didn't have much luck against the Cubs last season, hitting .171 with a homer and two RBIs in nine games.