Series Preview: Cubs vs Pirates

The NL Central’s first place Chicago Cubs take on the NL Central’s second place Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend in a three game series at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs are coming off back-to-back home losses to the below 0.500 San Diego Padres with the last game of the series ending in a 1-0 shutout, leaving the Cubs scoreless for just the second time this season.

The Pirates had a day of rest on Thursday after a wild one in Cincinnati that included: six hit batters, five homeruns and four ejections. The Pirates ended the game against the Reds after taking the lead in the top of the ninth inning.

In a report by the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs have lost consecutive games for the first time since losing three straight in September 2015. This is the first time the Cubs have faced adversity in this early phase of the 2016 season. The Cubs have the MLB’s best record at 25-8, and it’s likely that the Pirates will be victim to the Cubs motivation to regain super-team status.

The Pirates are having a solid start to the season as well, batting 0.360 as team. In recent years, the Pirates’ current record would have them at the top of the NL Central, but this year has belonged to the Cubs so far. Fueled by revenge after the Cubs swept the Pirates in a three game series last week in Pittsburgh, the Pirates do have a chance to beat the mighty Cubs while they are down this weekend.

The Matchups:

Friday: Jason Hammel (4-0, 1.85) vs. Francisco Liriano (3-1, 3.60), 1:20 p.m.

Saturday: Jake Arrieta (6-0, 1.13) vs. Jeff Locke (1-2, 4.68), 1:20 p.m.

Sunday: Jon Lester (4-1, 1.96) vs. Gerrit Cole (3-3, 3.78), 7:05 p.m.

The Cubs starting pitchers have been phenomenal this season led by their superstar, Jake Arrieta. Although, in his last start for the Cubs, against the Washington Nationals on May 8, Arrieta had a below average game by his standards this year. The Cubs’ main man worked five innings, allowed two earned runs on six hits and four walks with seven strikeouts. The win against the Nationals left Arrieta with his first no-decision of the year.

There is hope for the Pirates this weekend. The Cubs are in a slump for the first time this season. Even their star pitcher struggled a bit in his last start. The Pirates’ lineup has proven themselves to be tough outs this year. If the Cubs’ pitchers struggle this weekend, the Pirates will likely capitalize on any mistakes.

Things to think about this weekend while watching the Cubs and Pirates:

• According to Foxsports.com, the Cubs’ lineup has a commanding MLB lead with 172 walks this season.
• Cubs’ pitcher, Jake Arrieta, has faced the active Pirates’ lineup in 172 plate appearances and has only allowed one homerun.
• Pirates’ center fielder, Andrew McCutchen, has had the most success against Arrieta on the Pirates’ starting lineup. Through 34 plate appearances, McCutchen has 10 hits and seven strikeouts.
• The Pirates’ starter for Friday night’s Game 1 has faced the Cubs’ active roster in 117 plate appearances, and has held the Cubs to a.194 batting average with only one homerun allowed.
• Jeff Locke will likely be the Pirates’ main liability going into the series against the Cubs. After six games started this year, Lock has a record of 1-2; the lefty has allowed 17 runs on 36 hits and 19 walks. Lock will take the mound on Saturday afternoon against Arrieta. If there is one game in this series that looks like a sure win for the Cubs, it’s Saturday’s matchup.

This weekend at Wrigley Field will be exciting, to say the least. The Cubs have their reputation of a for-real World Series contender on the line and the team looks to end a two game losing streak.

The Pirates are looking for revenge after being swept last week by the Cubs on their home turf. Pitching will be the main concern for Pittsburgh; the starters will need to give the offense time to put runs on the board. The Pirates’ bats are willing and able to cause the Cubs to continue down their recent troubled path, but it will likely take a few innings to get warmed up against the Cubs’ dynamic pitching roster.

Clear your afternoon schedules this weekend. Daytime baseball will be featured at Wrigley Field for all three of the games. The Cubs and Pirates have much to prove and disprove, so tune-in and watch the headlines unfold.

[Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images]