Cubs News from Cubs.com

The Cubs entered Monday's series opener losers of 13 of 16 games against the Reds this season, but they have a chance to sweep the final series between the two teams on Wednesday at Great American Ball Park. Jeff Samardzija starts for the Cubs against the Reds' Mike Leake.

The party came a day late, but Edwin Jackson celebrated his birthday in a big way on Tuesday. One day after turning 30, the Cubs right-hander not only tossed seven innings of one-run ball, he also scored twice and hit the second home run of his career on the way to a 9-1 win over the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

The Cubs will begin their 2014 season with a tour de force that includes series against some of this season's toughest teams. Chicago opens on the road against the Pirates, before returning to Wrigley Field for series against Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Then they'll head back on the road for trips to Busch Stadium and Yankee Stadium.

The Cubs plan to get two more looks at right-hander Scott Baker this season, as manager Dale Sveum said on Tuesday that he will go with a six-man rotation for the next two turns. That cycle began on Monday with Travis Wood's win over the Reds, setting up Baker's next start for Saturday in Pittsburgh.

On the same Monday night Travis Wood blanked the Reds for seven innings in Cincinnati, right-hander C.J. Edwards and Class A Daytona beat Charlotte, 4-0, for the Florida State League Championship. The win capped a playoff run in which Daytona's starting pitchers did not allow a run in 33 innings.

C.J. Edwards and Ryan Searle combined on a one-hitter to help Class A Daytona beat Charlotte, 4-0, and win the Florida State League championship on Monday night.

Travis Wood stymied the Reds, and the Cubs did just enough offensively to finally beat Bronson Arroyo, as Chicago earned a 2-0 win over Cincinnati on Monday at Great American Ball Park. The win snapped a brief two-game losing streak for the Cubs, who had lost three straight to the Reds before Monday's game.

Winning six of their last eight, the Reds will look to stay hot on Tuesday in the second of three against the Cubs in Cincinnati. Monday's loss put the Reds two games back of the Cardinals in the National League Central and one game back of the Pirates for the first spot in the NL Wild Card. Tony Cingrani goes for the Reds against the Cubs' Edwin Jackson.

One day after making his first Major League appearance in more than two years, Scott Baker experienced the typical soreness that comes along with being a starting pitcher. And with no other issues to report, Cubs manager Dale Sveum has a little bit better idea of what the immediate future holds for Baker.

Although Starlin Castro has three straight hitless games after going 0-for-4 in Monday's 2-0 win against the Reds, manager Dale Sveum has been pleased with the shortstop's approach since being inserted into the leadoff spot on Aug. 21.

Despite having a postseason spot all but locked up, there's still quite a bit on the line for the Reds, who will kick off a three-game series with the Cubs on Monday night. Bronson Arroyo squares off with Travis Wood at Great American Ball Park.

Scott Baker's rebuilt right elbow was good enough to shut down Major League hitters for five innings and Junior Lake hit a solo homer, but the Cubs gave up three late runs and fell to the Brewers, 3-1, on Sunday.

The Cubs' Double-A Tennessee, Class A Daytona and Class A Boise teams all face must win situations on Monday.

Welington Castillo and Dioner Navarro will likely be tested in the next three days as they face the Reds and speedster Billy Hamilton.

Luis Valbuena and Brian Bogusevic left the yard, but Jake Arrieta was tagged for four runs -- all in the fourth inning -- as the Cubs fell, 5-3, to the Brewers on Saturday.

Scott Baker will make his Cubs debut in Sunday's rubber game against the Brewers. It will also be his first Major League start in more than two years. Yovani Gallardo is 2-0 with a 1.37 ERA in four starts since coming off the DL, and he takes the hill for Milwaukee.

Darwin Barney leads all National League second basemen in fielding percentage, and manager Dale Sveum said he is the favorite to repeat as the NL Gold Glove Award winner at that position.

Junior Lake leads all Major League rookies in hits since the All-Star break, but on Saturday, the Cubs outfielder got a day off. It's part of manager Dale Sveum's effort to give the outfielders on the roster enough playing time.

They're not exactly chasing the division title, but for the Brewers and Cubs, the fight to avoid last place in the NL Central is no small thing. After the Cubs took the series opener on Friday, the division rivals will be back at it again on Saturday, with Johnny Hellweg opposing Jake Arrieta.

Junior Lake hit his first career grand slam and Chris Rusin added a two-run single to spark the Cubs to an 8-5 win over the Brewers on Friday and move into a tie for last place in the National League Central.