Game Thread: Pirates go for the sweep

Last night, the Pittsburgh Pirates helped put an end to the Chicago Cubs’ bleak playoff hopes. Tonight, they will go for the series sweep.

Joe Musgrove (10-12, 4.49) will make his final start of 2019. In two starts this month, he has allowed two earned runs over 10 innings tallying 13 strikeouts and two walks. In three starts against the Cubs, Musgrove has allowed just two runs in 16.2 innings. He has struck out 19 and walked two. Another strong start tonight would put a bookend on an overall pretty nice year.

For the Cubs, Jose Quintana (13-8, 4.55) gets the nod. In five starts against the Pirates this season, Quintana is 4-0 with a 3.38 ERA over 29.1 innings pitched. He has struck out 29 batters while allowing five walks.

With a win tonight, the Pirates would finish the season 8-11 against the Cubs.

First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. eastern.

Lineups

Cubs

LF Tony Kemp

RF Ian Happ

2B Robel Garcia

1B Victor Caratini

C Jonathon Lucroy

3B David Bote

SS Addison Russell

CF Albert Almora Jr.

P Jose Quintana

Pirates

SS Kevin Newman

2B Adam Frazier

RF Melky Cabrera

1B Jose Osuna

CF Pablo Reyes

C Jacob Stallings

LF Jake Elmore

3B Erik Gonzalez

P Joe Musgrove