Pittsburgh at Chi. Cubs - Aug 28^th 2017 8:05 PM ^ET Preview

The Chicago Cubs’ record within the division has been a big reason for their two-game lead atop the National League Central. The Cubs hope to continue that trend when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three-game series starting Monday.

The Cubs are 30-22 against the NL Central - the best record in the division - and they play 24 of their final 33 contests against division foes. They stumbled at the end of a six-game road trip, though, dropping two of three to Philadelphia to go 3-3 against a pair of last-place teams on the trip. The Pirates took two of three from Cincinnati over the weekend for their first series win in nearly three weeks, but they are only seven games behind Chicago with seven head-to-head meetings over the next 10 contests. Pittsburgh is 7-5 against the Cubs this season.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Trevor Williams (5-6, 4.40 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Mike Montgomery (4-6, 3.43)

Williams turned in one of his best starts yet Wednesday, tossing eight scoreless frames in a no-decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 25-year-old has posted two scoreless outings in his last four starts, but he hasn’t been able to do it consistently. Williams has made two starts and two relief appearances against the Cubs this season, going 1-1 with a 5.27 ERA.

Montgomery will make his second start in Jon Lester’s spot in the rotation after throwing six scoreless innings Wednesday against Cincinnati. The 28-year-old is working on a streak of 10 1/3 scoreless frames over his last two outings. Montgomery is making his first start against the Pirates, but he has a 2.70 ERA in five relief appearances versus Pittsburgh.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pittsburgh OF Andrew McCutchen, who is two home runs shy of 200 in his career, is batting .303 with 22 homers in 143 games against the Cubs.

2. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 21-for-50 with four homers and 21 RBIs over his past 13 games.

3. Pirates 2B/OF Adam Frazier left Sunday’s game with right hamstring discomfort and will be re-examined Monday.