Chicago @ Pittsburgh preview

Chi. Cubs at Pittsburgh

Last Meeting ( Aug 5, 2015 ) Chi. Cubs 5, Pittsburgh 7

The National League Central rivalry between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates will heat up over the next three weeks, as the teams play seven times before the end of the regular season and appear to be headed for another clash in the wild-card game. It starts with a doubleheader Monday that begins a critical four-game series in Pittsburgh.

The Pirates have recovered from a brief swoon to win five of their last six to establish a four-game lead over the Cubs in the wild-card race and inch within 2 1/2 of St. Louis in the division. To continue their charge, they’ll have to solve the Cubs, who hold a 7-5 edge in the season series. Chicago started its long road trip with four wins in five games – including two of three against the Cardinals – but dropped its final two games against struggling Philadelphia. The Cubs’ impressive rookie class has combined for a club-record 61 home runs – but only two against the Pirates.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jason Hammel (8-6, 3.59 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Gerrit Cole (16-8, 2.54)

Hammel has struggled to find consistency since the All-Star break, watching his ERA rise nearly a full run. The 33-year-old battled through command issues to win at St. Louis last time out, limiting the damage to three runs over six innings despite four walks. Hammel is 5-4 with a 3.49 ERA in 10 games (nine starts) against the Pirates and has split two meetings this season.

The Pirates skipped Cole the last time through the rotation to ensure he’s lined up to pitch either the wild-card game or Game 1 of the NL Division Series. The 25-year-old ace is making his first start since Sept. 6, when he allowed two hits over seven scoreless innings to win at St. Louis. Cole is 6-1 with a 2.93 ERA in seven starts against the Cubs, including a 1-1 mark this season despite allowing only two earned runs in 12 innings over two starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pittsburgh is 73-1 when leading after eight innings and 0-46 when trailing after eight.

2. Cubs 3B/OF Kris Bryant is 10-for-30 with two homers and seven RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak and his 24 home runs are one shy of tying Billy Williams’ club record for a rookie.

3. Pirates INF Jung Ho Kang is 9-for-27 with two homers and seven RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Cubs 2