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The Cubs’ 13-2 record against the division is a big reason
for their early success, and that includes a three-game sweep in
Pittsburgh earlier this month. Chicago outscored the Pirates
20-5 in that series, but the Cubs’ offense sputtered in a 1-0
loss to the Padres in Wednesday’s nightcap. The Pirates have won
three of five since that series, and star center fielder Andrew
McCutchen is heating up. A career .312 hitter against the Cubs
with 16 home runs, McCutchen was 3-for-12 in the last series
against Chicago but is 9-for-25 with three extra-base hits
during a six-game hitting streak.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), WGN (Chicago), MLB Network
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Francisco Liriano (3-1, 3.60 ERA)
vs. Cubs RH Jason Hammel (4-0, 1.85)
Liriano had a couple of rocky outings in the first month of the
season but has rounded into form in his last two starts. He
struck out 10 over seven innings at St. Louis on Friday,
limiting the Cardinals to two runs and five hits to earn his
second straight win. The 32-year-old is 5-2 with a 2.27 ERA in
11 career starts against the Cubs, including a 4-1 mark and 1.56
ERA in five starts at Wrigley Field.
Hammel was dominant over the first month of the season but has
regressed slightly in his last two starts. The 33-year-old was
unable to record an out in the sixth inning of a win at
Pittsburgh on May 2, and he gave up three runs over five innings
in a no-decision Saturday against Washington. With his win over
the Pirates earlier this month, Hammel improved to 6-5 with a
4.00 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) against Pittsburgh.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo has reached base in 24 straight games –
the longest active streak in the majors – but is 4-for-23 with
eight strikeouts against Liriano.
2. Pirates INF Jung Ho Kang has three home runs among his five
hits in the first five games of the team’s current road trip.
3. Chicago 2B/OF Ben Zobrist is batting .545 over the past seven
games and has four homers and 18 RBIs over his past 10 contests.
PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Cubs 3
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