Cubs at Pirates
The Chicago Cubs are still sitting atop the National League Central, but their pitching staff has taken a beating the past three games. The Cubs turn to right-hander Kyle Hendricks to reverse that trend when they play the second contest of a four-game road series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday.
The Pirates hammered the Cubs 12-0 in the series opener, handing Chicago its second straight defeat. The Cubs maintained their 3 1/2-game lead over Milwaukee in the division, but they’ve allowed 29 runs in their past three outings. Pittsburgh is out of contention but has won three straight and relishes the role of spoiler. The PIrates’ pitching staff has been outstanding during the winning streak, posting two shutouts and allowing just one run in the other contest.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (6-4, 3.32 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Steven Brault (0-0, 5.93)
Hendricks is 2-1 with a 2.31 ERA in eight starts since coming off the disabled list on July 24. The 27-year-old has recorded four straight quality starts and hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any outing since his return. Hendricks is 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA in nine career starts against Pittsburgh and has split a pair of meetings this season.
Brault will make his first big-league start of the season after six appearances out of the bullpen. The 25-year-old made seven major-league starts last season and went 0-3 with a 4.26 ERA, so he is still looking for his first major-league win. Brault has allowed 17 runs (nine earned) in 8 2/3 innings over four career appearances (one start) against the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pittsburgh 1B Josh Bell homered Monday and has hit six blasts in 26 games against the Cubs, his most against any opponent.
2. Cubs INF/OF Ian Happ is 8-for-19 with two homers during a five-game hitting streak.
3. Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen is 3-for-19 with six strikeouts and no extra-base hits against Hendricks.