On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Pirates Series Preview

Starling Marte’s suspension for PED use has already had an effect on the Pirates, as they have lost three of five since the suspension was announced last Tuesday. Beyond losing his bat, the psychological effect on the team cannot be discounted.

Marte was also a key factor in one of the games these two teams played at Wrigley Field, as he homered and drove in two runs in the Pirates’ 8-7 win April 15.

I certainly won’t miss him in the Pirates’ lineup.

Fun fact

Since the beginning of the 2015 season, the Cubs are 12-7 in PNC Park (13-7 if you include the 2015 wild-card game).

Pitching matchups

Monday: Brett Anderson (1-0, 4.40 ERA, 1.465 WHIP, 3.30 FIP) vs. Chad Kuhl (1-1, 2.60 ERA, 1.154 WHIP, 2.82 FIP)

Tuesday: Kyle Hendricks (1-1, 6.19 ERA, 1.375 WHIP, 5.82 FIP) vs. Gerrit Cole (1-2, 4.70 ERA, 1.435 WHIP, 4.84 FIP)

Wednesday: Jon Lester (0-0, 2.66 ERA, 1.268 WHIP, 2.67 FIP) vs. Tyler Glasnow (0-1, 7.94 ERA, 2.294 WHIP, 4.38 FIP)

Times & TV channels

Monday: 6:05 p.m. CT, WGN, ESPN (outside Chicago and Pittsburgh markets)

Tuesday: 6:05 p.m. CT, WGN

Wednesday: 6:05 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago

Prediction

Even though the Pirates swept the Cubs at Wrigley last week, two of those three losses were due to late-inning bullpen failures. As long as the starting pitching holds up, the Cubs should win two of three here.

Up next

The Cubs are off Thursday, then head to Fenway Park for their first interleague series of 2017, a three-game set with the Red Sox beginning Friday night.