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(Sports Network) - The Chicago Cubs try for their fourth straight win this evening when they begin a brief two-game series with the New York Mets at Wrigley Field.

Chicago enters this series after sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates for the second time this season. On Sunday, Aramis Ramirez went 4-for-5 with a two- run home run and four RBI, as the Cubs pummeled Pittsburgh, 13-6, to complete the sweep. Ryan Theriot, Derrek Lee and Matt Murton each recorded a pair of RBI for the Cubs, who have won six of seven overall.

Ryan Dempster (3-0) got the win after throwing five innings of five-hit ball and surrendering only three runs.

Hoping to extend the streak today will be ace right-hander Carlos Zambrano, who is 2-1 with a 3.04 ERA this season. Zambrano earned the win on Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds, as he allowed two runs and eight hits in seven innings.

Zambrano has faced the Mets six times (five starts) and is 3-1 against them with a 3.30 ERA.

New York, meanwhile, was denied a sweep in its three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies, falling 5-4 to its NL East rivals on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. Carlos Beltran produced a two-run single, while Jose Reyes and David Wright both finished with two hits and a run scored, as the Mets rallied from four runs down but still saw its five-game winning streak come to an end.

Pedro Feliciano (0-1) took the loss for the Mets, while starter Mike Pelfrey was let off the hook after being belted for four runs on 10 hits in five innings.

Heading to the hill for New York tonight will be right-hander John Maine, who has had two solid outings after a horrific start to the season. Maine was battered for four runs and eight hits in four innings by the Atlanta Braves in his season debut back on April 5, but has surrendered just three runs in his two starts since, spanning 12 2/3 frames.

Maine picked up his first win of the season on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals, as he allowed a pair of runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings to improve to 1-1 on the year and lowered his ERA on the season to 3.78.

The 26-year-old hurler is 0-2 lifetime against the Cubs with a 5.17 ERA in four games (three starts).

New York won five of seven from the Cubs last season, including two of three in the Windy City.