Chicago @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 7, 2013 ) Pittsburgh 3, Chi. Cubs 4

While Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez have done the heavy lifting for most of the season, recent acquisitions Justin Morneau and Marlon Byrd have been supplying Pittsburgh with solid production over the past two weeks. The Pirates open a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday and Morneau (.313 in 32 at-bats) and Byrd (.321 in 53 RBIs) have provided a big boost. Pittsburgh trails first-place St. Louis by one game in the National League Central.

Chicago was blanked for the 13th time this season in Wednesday’s 6-0 loss to Cincinnati after winning the first two games of the series. Pittsburgh swept a three-game set from the Texas Rangers and rested the hot-hitting McCutchen (.469 over his last nine games) in the finale. The Pirates are 45-25 at home as they begin an 11-game homestand that also features four games against the San Diego Padres and three games against the Milwaukee Brewers.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Chris Rusin (2-3, 2.89 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Jeff Locke (9-5, 3.23)

Rusin has a five-start winless streak going since last picking up a victory Aug. 9 against St. Louis. He has given up two or fewer earned runs in six consecutive outings and eight of 10 since recalled. Rusin lasted just 3 2/3 innings against Milwaukee in his last turn when he allowed two runs and seven hits.

Locke was enjoying a superb season until falling apart and is 0-3 with a 6.57 ERA over his last eight outings. He had a 2.11 ERA after beating Cincinnati on July 21 and batters have hit .324 against him since the All-Star break before hitting a meager .202 before it. Locke allowed one run and one hit in 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on June 9 and has a 4.50 ERA in three career starts against Chicago.

WALK-OFFS

1. McCutchen is batting .364 with six doubles and no homers in 44 at-bats against the Cubs this season.

2. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is hitless in 14 at-bats over his last four games and is batting .207 since the All-Star break.

3. Alvarez has a 14-game homerless drought but continues to lead the NL with 32 homers.

PREDICTION: Pirates 7, Cubs 4