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Athletics-Cubs Preview

Jun 17, 2010 - 4:47 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Oakland (33-33) at Chicago (28-36), 2:20 p.m. EDT

One of the few bright spots for the Chicago Cubs' underachieving lineup has been its success against left-handed pitchers. That might not bode well for Oakland's Dallas Braden.

The Cubs hope for another solid effort against a southpaw as they try to win their home series with the Athletics on Thursday.

Despite its inconsistent hitting, Chicago (29-36) is batting .280 against lefties compared to .253 versus right-handers. The Cubs are 11-9 against left-handed starters after winning for the seventh time in eight games against one, beating Gio Gonzalez and Oakland 6-2 on Wednesday to even the set.

Derrek Lee hit his eighth home run and Alfonso Soriano added two RBIs hours after general manager Jim Hendry said it's too early to plan whether the team will be buyers or sellers at next month's trade deadline.

Chicago, which has won seven of 19, is 6 1/2 games out of first place in the NL Central.

"I like to think these guys know the spot we're in," said Hendry said. "We just have to fight our way out of it."

Lee continues to try and do that. Batting .230, the first baseman was 0 for 9 in his previous three games before getting two hits Wednesday.

The Cubs hope their success against southpaws continues as they face Braden (4-6, 3.95 ERA) for the first time. Originally slated to start Tuesday, Braden was pushed back due to an inflamed left elbow tendon.

He's 0-4 with a 4.75 ERA in six starts since throwing a perfect game against Tampa Bay on May 9. He allowed five runs and 11 hits in 5 2-3 innings of a 7-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on June 9.

"It's a long season," Braden told the Athletics' official website. "No reason to press. These things come and go."

Braden is 0-2 with a 2.95 ERA in three interleague starts.

Marlon Byrd is the only Cub to face Braden, going 6 for 16 with three doubles.

Oakland's Kevin Kouzmanoff had his 15-game hitting streak snapped after going 0 for 3 on Wednesday. Oakland (33-34) has dropped four of five and gone 5-10 this month after going 16-12 in May.

Conor Jackson went 2 for 3 in his first start since being acquired from Arizona on Tuesday. Jackson is a lifetime .346 hitter versus the Cubs, but has never faced scheduled starter Randy Wells.

Making his first appearance against Oakland, Wells (3-5, 5.15) looks to avoid a sixth consecutive defeat .

After going 3-0 with a 3.45 ERA in five April starts, Wells is 0-5 with a 6.47 ERA in his last eight. He's given up 20 first-inning runs during that losing stretch. He allowed two first-inning runs and five in five innings overall of a 10-5 loss to the White Sox on Friday.

Wells, 2-2 with a 4.70 ERA in five interleague starts, is hoping for a fresh start.

"I've declared (Thursday) as the start of a new season for me," Wells told the Cubs' official website. "Right now, I'm 0-0 in my mind. I'm excited."

Chicago has lost five straight series since taking two of three against the Dodgers from May 25-27.