Chicago @ Pittsburgh preview

Chi. Cubs at Pittsburgh

Last Meeting ( Sep 13, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 5, Pittsburgh 4

Anthony Rizzo hasn’t done much on the road all season, but one swing on Friday gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a critical loss. The Pirates look to strike back Saturday when they continue their four-game series at home against the Chicago Cubs. Pittsburgh belted back-to-back-to-back homers on Friday for the first time since 2003, but Rizzo – a .212 hitter on the road this season – blasted a go-ahead two-run home run to push the Pirates one game behind National League Central-leading St. Louis.

Pittsburgh’s setback marked only the fourth in 65 games the team lost after holding a lead through six innings and snapped a four-game winning streak, but the Pirates have reason to believe they can rebound Saturday. Pittsburgh owns a 46-26 record at PNC Park and has dropped consecutive home games in the same series only once since the All-Star break. Andrew McCutchen, who is batting .462 during an 11-game hitting streak, is a .340 hitter in 70 career games against the Cubs after Friday’s 2-for-4 effort.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Scott Baker (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Gerrit Cole (7-7, 3.48)

Making his first major-league appearance since Sept, 24, 2001, Baker held Milwaukee to two hits over five scoreless frames in a no-decision during Sunday’s 3-1 loss. The longtime Minnesota Twin who is making his way back from Tommy John surgery, threw 39 of his 55 pitches for strikes during the efficient outing. Baker, who is scheduled to make only two more starts, will face Pittsburgh for the first time in his career.

Cole is coming off the best start, allowing three hits and striking out a career-high nine over seven scoreless innings in Monday’s 1-0 victory at Texas. However, the rookie has struggled a bit at home, going 4-5 with a 4.27 ERA (as opposed to a 3-2 record and 2.29 ERA on the road). Cole, who has managed to win only one of his last seven home starts, will square off against the Cubs for the first time.

WALK-OFFS

1. McCutchen is one home run shy of joining Barry Bonds as the only players in team history to hit 20 homers and steal 20 bases in three straight seasons.

2. Chicago is batting .174 against Pittsburgh this season, but has managed to win six of the 14 meetings.

3. With 33 home runs, Pittsburgh's Pedro Alvarez needs one more to tie the club record by a third baseman (Aramis Ramirez, 2001).

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Cubs 2