Chicago @ Pittsburgh preview

Chi. Cubs at Pittsburgh

Last Meeting ( Aug 16, 2018 ) Chi. Cubs 1, Pittsburgh 0

The Chicago Cubs hoped to solidify the back end of their rotation by acquiring veteran left-hander Cole Hamels, but so far they’ve wound up adding an ace. The four-time All-Star will try to give the Cubs another strong outing in the second contest of their four-game series against the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

The Cubs hope Hamels can pick up where Jon Lester left off Thursday, when he combined with three relievers on a six-hit shutout in the series opener. Ian Happ’s home run provided the only offense in a 1-0 win that lifted the Cubs 3 1/2 games ahead of idle Milwaukee in the National League Central. The Pirates have dropped four straight to slide 10 games behind the Cubs and 6 1/2 out in the race for the second wild card. Pittsburgh has totaled nine runs during its four-game skid.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Cole Hamels (7-9, 4.22 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Trevor Williams (10-8, 3.66)

Hamels has been outstanding in three starts with the Cubs, allowing three runs - two earned - over 18 innings. The 34-year-old was denied a third straight win last time out, but he registered nine strikeouts while limiting Washington to one run and one hit over seven frames. Hamels is 4-3 with a 2.72 ERA in 11 career starts against the Pirates, including a win in his Cubs debut.

Williams continued his dominant stretch by scattering five hits over seven scoreless frames in a win at San Francisco last time out. The 26-year-old has allowed two runs over 29 innings in his last five outings, including four scoreless appearances. Williams is 2-2 with a 4.01 ERA in six games (four starts) against the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs have won their last five one-run games.

2. Pirates 1B Josh Bell is 8-for-22 in his last seven home contests.

3. Cubs RH Yu Darvish, who has been sidelined since May 20 with right triceps tendinitis, will begin a rehab assignment on Sunday

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Pirates 3