Chicago @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 1, Pittsburgh 2

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in great shape to end their 20-year playoff drought - but they'd like home-field advantage in the first round. They'll rely on their strongest home pitcher to aid in their cause Sunday afternoon as Francisco Liriano leads the Pirates into the series finale with the Chicago Cubs. Chicago opened the set with a 5-4 victory Friday night, but Marlon Byrd's tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning against his former team lifted Pittsburgh to a 2-1 win Saturday.

The victory, coupled with the St. Louis Cardinals' 4-1 loss to visiting Seattle, means there's a tie atop the National League Central. The Pirates aim for the series victory behind the arm of Liriano, who is enjoying a career resurgence in Pittsburgh and is 8-1 with a 1.21 ERA in nine starts at PNC Park this season. He'll be opposed by Cubs veteran Travis Wood, who is coming off a sensational seven-inning performance in Cincinnati earlier this week.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Travis Wood (9-11, 3.05 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Francisco Liriano (16-7, 2.92)

Wood has been plagued by a lack of run support for most of the season, but didn't need much in his last turn. The 26-year-old Arkansas native limited Cincinnati to six hits while striking out seven en route to a 2-0 victory. Wood is 4-5 with a 3.40 ERA in eight starts and one relief appearance against the Pirates, and was the losing pitcher in their last encounter despite surrendering just one run over six innings.

Liriano's strength has been his home-field prowess, but he showed last time out that he can throw a gem away from Pittsburgh, as well. The 29-year-old Dominican held the Rangers to a run on six hits over six frames of a 5-4 victory in Texas. Liriano has been sensational against the Cubs over his career, posting a 3-1 record with a 1.88 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 28 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen has one hit in 16 career at-bats against Wood.

2. The Cubs have won just one of Wood's last eight starts against a division foe.

3. The Pirates lead the season series 9-6.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Cubs 2