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Cubs aim to end post-All-Star break offensive slump

Jul 22, 2008 - 10:07 AM Chi Cubs (58-41) at Arizona (49-50) 9:40 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs haven't acted much like the National League's best offense lately.

The Cubs attempt to snap out of their offensive funk on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Chicago glided into the All-Star break last week, tied with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at 57-38 for the best record in the majors in large part due to an offense that scored 496 runs, second behind only the Texas Rangers.

But the offense that was so dynamic in the first half has yet to carry over to the second half, as the team has scored a total of 11 runs - including nine in one game - in the four games since the "Midsummer Classic." In the series opener on Monday, three Diamondbacks pitchers combined to hold the Cubs to two hits in a 2-0 setback.

With Alfonso Soriano's return to the lineup a few days away, Chicago may need to manufacture some runs if it hopes to end the two-start slide of Jason Marquis (6-5, 4.44 ERA), who will take the mound.

The righthander did not factor into the decision of the Cubs' 3-1 win over San Francisco on July 11 despite yielding three hits and two walks over seven frames, his third straight start without a win after collecting victories in the previous four.

Arizona will counter with Yusmeiro Petit (0-1, 3.06), who will makes his second start of the season in place of Micah Owings, who pitched a scoreless inning of relief on Monday. The righthander, who has appeared twice in relief since his last turn, did not receive a decision despite allowing one run and two hits over six innings in a 4-3 loss to Milwaukee on July 2.