Scouting report: Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Posted July 12, 2019 1:00 am

By Bruce Miles

Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field

TV: NBC Sports Chicago Friday; WGN Saturday; ABC 7 Sunday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Yu Darvish (2-4) vs. Chris Archer (3-6) Friday; Jon Lester (8-6) vs. Jordan Lyles (5-5) Saturday; Jose Quintana (6-7) vs. Trevor Williams (3-2) Sunday. All games at 1:20 p.m.

At a glance: This is the Pirates' second trip to Chicago this season. The Cubs took two of three at Wrigley Field in April. The Pirates won three of four from the Cubs last week. In the bunched-up National League Central, the Cubs (47-43) lead, and the fourth-place Pirates are just 2½ games back. The Cubs have a plus-55 run differential, while the Pirates are at minus-36. Josh Bell tops most of the offensive categories for the Pirates with a line of .302/.376/.648 with 27 home runs and a league-leading 84 RBI. Gregory Polanco, Jameson Taillon, Steven Brault and Francisco Cervelli all are on Pittsburgh's injured list. The Pirates are 14th in the NL in team ERA (4.91), while the Cubs (3.37) are third.

Next: Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field, Monday to Wednesday

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