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Losers of three in a row, the Pirates (61-60) return home to face first-place Cubs team (69-50) that, at nine games back, they’re not really chasing in the NL Central race as much as trying to remain relevant versus others in the Wild Card.
The Cubs are 8-5 in August, coming off a split of two games with the Brewers at Wrigley Field this week. Chicago split two games in Pittsburgh a little more than two weeks ago.
The Cubs are scheduled to send four left-handed starting pitchers against the Pirates this weekend. Perhaps the Pirates will have Jose Osuna on standby, or, if a disabled list stint is needed for Jordy Mercer, Jordan Luplow, who was just optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.
Season Series: 6-5 Cubs
At Chicago
April 10: Pirates 8, Cubs 5
April 11: Cubs 13, Pirates 5
April 12: Pirates 6, Cubs 1
At Pittsburgh
May 28: Cubs 7, Pirates 0
May 29: Cubs 8, Pirates 6
May 30: Pirates 2, Cubs 1
At Chicago
June 8: Cubs 3, Pirates 1
June 9: Cubs 2, Pirates 0
June 10: Pirates 7, Cubs 1
At Pittsburgh
July 31: Pirates 5, Cubs 4
August 1: Cubs 9, Pirates 2
Schedule
Thursday, 7:05 p.m. — Jon Lester (12-5, 3.89 ERA) vs. Ivan Nova (7-6, 4.42); TV: AT&T SportsNet
Friday, 7:05 p.m. — Cole Hamels (7-9, 4.22) vs. Trevor Williams (10-8, 3.66); TV: AT&T SportsNet
Saturday, 7:05 p.m. — Mike Montgomery (4-4, 3.62) vs. Joe Musgrove (4-7, 3.49); TV: AT&T SportsNet
Sunday, 1:35 p.m. — Jose Quintana (10-9, 4.46) vs. Jameson Taillon (9-9, 3.66); TV: AT&T SportsNet
Things You Can Read
- Cole Hamels has been excellent since his trade from Texas.
- The rest of the rotation is rather questionable.
- David Bote had an incredibly cool moment, you might have seen.
- Ben Zobrist made his first career ejection count, going all #robotumpsnow.
- The Cubs acquired speedster Terrance Gore from the Royals.
A Thing You Can Buy
Want a Ryan Theriot bobblehead?
No?
Want a Ryan Theriot fishing bobblehead?
Poll
How many games will the Pirates win against the Cubs?
This poll is closed
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12%
4
-
11%
3
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26%
2
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36%
1
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12%
0