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 Pittsburgh has been streaky, losing four straight on the heels of
a winning four contests in a row to sit 1 1/2 games behind the
Brewers and Atlanta for the NL's second wild card. The Cubs are
without stars Anthony Rizzo (back) and Starlin Castro (ankle), but
they're still playing some of their best ball of the season thanks
to a fresh crop of prospects. Leading the group is outfielder Jorge
Soler, who has hit safely in his first seven big-league games and is
12-for-26 with eight extra-base hits and 10 RBIs.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Vance Worley (6-4, 3.01 ERA) vs. Cubs
LH Tsuyoshi Wada (4-2, 2.79)
 Worley snapped a three-start losing streak last time out, holding
Cincinnati to two runs (one earned) and three hits over 6 1/3
innings. It was his ninth quality start in 13 starts with the
Pirates, which includes a win at Wrigley Field on June 21. He
limited the Cubs to three runs over 6 2/3 frames in that one,
improving to 2-0 in three outings against Chicago.
Wada has been a solid addition to the Cubs' rotation in the second
half, allowing three or fewer earned runs in eight of his nine
starts. The 33-year-old rookie from Japan had won four straight
decisions before taking the loss Saturday at St. Louis, where he
allowed four runs (three earned) over six innings. Wada is 4-1 with
a 2.83 ERA in six home starts.
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WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs have won six straight home games, matching their longest
streak at Wrigley since a 14-game stretch in 2008.
2. Pirates 3B Josh Harrison, the NL Player of the Month for August,
has recorded multiple hits in five of his last seven games.
3. Chicago 1B/3B Mike Olt (hamstring) was to continue a rehab
assignment with Class-A Kane County on Thursday in hopes of joining
the Cubs on Friday.
PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Pirates 3
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