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(Sports Network) - Chicago's closer-turned-starter Ryan Dempster looks for a fourth straight successful outing today when the Cubs host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.

Dempster, who had 28 saves in 66 appearances last season for the Cubs, has been solid through three starts in 2008, allowing just nine hits and five earned runs in 19 innings while defeating Milwaukee and Cincinnati and getting a no-decision against the Pirates.

In the latter game, on April 9 at Pittsburgh, the 30-year-old British Columbia native allowed just one hit in seven scoreless innings of what eventually became a 6-4 win for Chicago.

A starter with Florida and Cincinnati from 1998 to 2003, Dempster has made 38 career appearances against the Pirates, including 13 starts, and is 3-7 with nine saves and a 5.62 earned run average.

Pittsburgh lefty Zach Duke gets the call one day after his 25th birthday.

Duke faced Dempster in the aforementioned April 9 game and also got a no- decision, allowing eight hits and a run in seven innings. He's gotten no- decisions in two other 2008 starts - both Pittsburgh wins - while allowing 18 hits and five earned runs in 11 2/3 innings.

Lifetime against the Cubs, Duke is 4-2 in nine starts with a 2.01 ERA in 62 2/3 innings.

On Saturday, Derrek Lee and Daryle Ward each belted a two- run home run as the Cubs demolished the Pirates, 13-1.

Mark DeRosa and Ronny Cedeno drove in two runs apiece for the Cubs, who won for the fifth time in six games and will try to complete their second sweep of the season over the Bucs today. Chicago has also beaten Pittsburgh eight straight times.

Ryan Theriot went 2-for-4 and scored three runs, while Geovany Soto was 2- for-4 with a run-scoring double as the Cubs pounded out 12 hits and drew 10 walks off Pittsburgh pitching.

Jason Marquis (1-0) earned the win with six solid innings, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out seven. Marquis also helped himself out at the plate with an RBI double.

Tom Gorzelanny (1-2) was shelled for seven runs on six hits over just 2 2/3 innings, while Tyler Yates allowed four runs on one hit and four walks in two- thirds of an inning in relief.

Nate McLouth doubled and scored for the Pirates, who dropped their fourth straight. McLouth has now hit safely in all 17 games this season and is batting at a .384 clip.