Jesse Rogers, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Series preview: Reds at Cubs

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs take on the Cincinnati Reds for the first time this season as they begin a stretch of 13 straight days of games.

The series:

• Friday, 1:20 p.m. CT: Jeff Samardzija vs. Reds' Alfredo Simon

• Saturday, 1:20 p.m. CT: Edwin Jackson vs. Reds' Tony Cingrani

• Sunday, 1:20 p.m. CT: Carlos Villanueva vs. Reds' Homer Bailey

Samardzija winless: Despite a 1.29 ERA, Friday’s starter hasn’t won a game. The Cubs finally scored some runs for Samardzija during his last start, but the bullpen blew the game before the Cubs pulled it out in the 11th inning. There is no pitcher in baseball going into the weekend with a lower ERA who doesn’t have at least one win this year.

Offensive drought: Between a rainout, off days and a doubleheader shutout sweep, the Cubs haven’t scored a run since last Sunday’s ninth inning in St. Louis. After starting the season on fire, Emilio Bonifacio has slowed down. Since getting the day off last Saturday he’s hitless in his past 13 at-bats over the course of the past three games. His batting average has dropped to .339.

Cellar fight: The Reds are just 1 1/2 games ahead of the Cubs in the standings but have won two in a row after starting the season 4-9. Joey Votto has been hot since moving to the No. 2 hole in their lineup.

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