Chicago at Chicago

The last place Cubs had a short stretch of playing better -- but so have the White Sox. The Cubbies are just 9-16 on the road, and the offense is still a problem, 23rd in baseball in runs scored, 26th in on-base percentage with a team batting average of .246 (20th). After a nice run, the Cubs are slumping again, dropping eight of 11 games. That lack of offense hurt the pitcher, as Jeff Samardzija (2-6) is 1-2 his last three starts, and the team is 2-7 in his last nine starts. Plus, he is 0-2 with a 3.27 ERA in four appearances against the White Sox and lost his only start against them. The Cubs are 11-25 in their last 36 interleague road games and 26-64 in their last 90 road games. The White Sox have won nine of their last 12 after finishing a three-game sweep of Miami on Sunday.  White Sox lefty Jose Quintana (3-1, 3.48) is going good and was outstanding in his last start, taking a no-hitter into the seventh in a win. The White Sox are 6-1 in their last seven home games, 4-0 in their last four interleague games,! and the Cubs have never seen Quintana before. Play the White Sox.