Pirates at Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are clinging to a half-game lead atop the congested National League Central despite limping into the All-Star break with losses in 16 of their last 26 contests. The Cubs aim to get back on track on Friday afternoon when they open a three-game series against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates, who have won 12 of their last 17 to move within 2 1/2 games of Chicago.
All-Star Josh Bell has led the Pirates' resurgence with team-leading totals in homers (27) and RBIs (84), including four and 11, respectively, in a four-game series against Chicago from July 1-4. Starling Marte is 10-for-29 with four extra-base hits (three doubles, homer) in the season series versus the Cubs and 4-for-8 with a homer in his career against Friday starter Yu Darvish. All-Star Kris Bryant went 4-for-5 with a homer and two doubles in Chicago's 11-3 win at Pittsburgh on July 4, although that contest is best remembered for manager Joe Maddon providing fireworks by storming the field after Javier Baez saw inside pitches sail close to his head. "If they keep pitching like that, a lot of (their hitters) are not going to like their pitching staff," said Maddon, who also told reporters that he couldn't wait for the rematch.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Chris Archer (3-6, 5.49 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Yu Darvish (2-4, 5.01)
Archer will bid for his first win since June 6 when he takes the mound against Chicago, versus which he recorded his fourth straight no-decision on July 3 after allowing three runs in five innings. The 30-year-old was taken deep twice in that contest and has surrendered 20 homers in 78 2/3 innings this season. Baez, who joined Victor Caratini in going deep in that game against Archer, is 7-for-12 in his career versus the hurler.
Darvish looks to end a woeful stretch in which he has posted an 0-6 record with a 5.91 ERA in 13 career starts at Wrigley Field. "I don't know why every time I pitch there I give up a home run. That's weird," the 32-year-old Japanese star said. "When I go on the road, I don't feel that. But when I pitch at Wrigley, it happens a lot." Darvish didn't fare so well at Pittsburgh on July 3, yielding four runs in seven hits while surrendering two homers for the fourth time in his last five starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pittsburgh SS Kevin Newman is 8-for-18 with one homer, four RBIs and three runs scored in his last four games.
2. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is just 5-for-27 with 10 strikeouts against the Pirates this season.
3. Pittsburgh OF Corey Dickerson is 2-for-14 with four strikeouts versus Chicago in 2019.