Jason Hammel (4-0, 1.85 ERA) and Francisco Liriano (3-1, 3.60 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Chicago Cubs (25-8) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (18-15) at Wrigley Field. Action begins at 2:20 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 13 and can be seen on WGN and RTPT.
Hammel pitched 5.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs, striking out three and walking four in an 8-5 win over the Nationals. Liriano went 7.0 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out 10 and walking two in a 4-2 win over the Cardinals in his last outing. Andrew McCutchen (.248, 23 Rs, 7 HRs, 14 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 Wednesday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Notes
In their last game, the Pirates won by a margin of one run. The Cubs are 4-3 in one-run games. The Pirates have a 5-4 record in close games.
After a weak showing last week where they got in four hits, the Cubs need to step it up. The Pirates have a record of 2-0 when opponents get four hits or less.
When they are outhit, the Pirates are 2-10. The Cubs have a 2-6 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 17th in home runs, Pittsburgh has hit 34 this season. Chicago ranks 14th with 37 home runs.
Chicago ranks at the top of the league when it comes to walks with 172 this season. Pittsburgh ranks in the top five with 133.
The Cubs are 19-2 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Pirates are 12-7 when they hit at least one homer.
