On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Pirates series preview

Since these two teams met last week, the Cubs took three of four from the Braves and the Pirates won two of three from the Reds at home; in so doing the Pirates dropped half a game farther from first place than they were when they left Wrigley Field after Wednesday’s game when the Cubs completed their sweep.

Expect to see some Pirates minor leaguers join the club this week as they start looking forward to 2017.

The Cubs are 8-7 vs. the Pirates this year and 33-22 within the N.L. Central, the best intradivisional record of any Central team. The Pirates are 26-30 within the division.

Fun fact

Since the beginning of 2015 the Cubs are 33-19 against the Pirates (not including the 2015 wild-card game), and 16-9 against them in Pittsburgh, including winning four of six so far this year in PNC Park.

Probable pitchers

Monday: Jake Arrieta, RHP (14-8, 3.36 ERA, 1.184 WHIP, 3.85 FIP) vs. Chad Kuhl, RHP (6-10, 4.54 ERA, 1.470 WHIP, 4.02 FIP)

Tuesday: Kyle Hendricks, RHP (6-4, 3.32 ERA, 1.237 WHIP, 4.10 FIP) vs. Steven Brault, LHP (0-0, 5.93 ERA, 1.902 WHIP, 3.35 FIP)

Wednesday: Jose Quintana, LHP (9-11, 4.49 ERA, 1.279 WHIP, 4.00 FIP) vs. Gerrit Cole (11-9, 4.11 ERA, 1.243 WHIP, 4.13 FIP)

Thursday: Jon Lester, LHP (9-7, 4.46 ERA, 1.291 WHIP, 3.99 FIP) vs. Jameson Taillon, RHP (7-5, 4.50 ERA, 1.509 WHIP, 3.50 FIP)

• Jose Quintana’s numbers above include his 18 starts with the White Sox. With the Cubs: nine starts, 5-3, 4.50 ERA, 1.192 WHIP, 4.02 FIP

Times & TV channels

Monday: 3:05 p.m. CT, ABC7 Chicago, ESPN (outside Chicago and Pittsburgh markets)

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

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

Thursday: 6:05 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago, MLB Network (outside Chicago and Pittsburgh markets)

Prediction

The Cubs handled the Pirates well last week at Wrigley and as noted above, have an excellent record in Pittsburgh over the last three seasons. The Pirates are 7-14 since August 11. The Cubs will wrap their season play against the Pirates by taking three of four here.

Up next

The Cubs return to Wrigley Field to host the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-game series beginning Friday evening.