Chicago @ Pittsburgh preview

Chi. Cubs at Pittsburgh

Last Meeting ( Aug 18, 2018 ) Chi. Cubs 1, Pittsburgh 3

The Chicago Cubs remain among the National League leaders in most offensive statistical categories, but they’re mired in an awful slump at the moment. The Cubs will try to bust out of their offensive funk and claim a series victory when they visit the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday for the finale of their four-game set.

Chicago has won nine of its last 14 contests and owns a four-game lead over St. Louis in the NL Central, but the latest outage by a streaky offense is concerning. The Cubs have scored just one run in each of the first three games of the series, but after blanking the Pirates in the first two contests, they dropped a 3-1 decision on Saturday. Chicago has a good opportunity to get the offense going Sunday with Jameson Taillon on the mound, as stars Anthony Rizzo (8-for-16, two homers) and Javier Baez (9-for-13, two) have hit the right-hander hard. Pittsburgh snapped its five-game skid Saturday but remains 10 games behind the Cubs and six back of the Cardinals for the second NL wild card.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, ABC 7 (Chicago), AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (10-9, 4.46 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Jameson Taillon (9-9, 3.66)

Quintana has been banged around in his last two starts, allowing five runs in each and losing both. The 29-year-old served up three home runs to Milwaukee on Tuesday and has surrendered six blasts in his last four outings. Quintana is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three career starts against the Pirates, whom he hasn’t faced this season.

Taillon has recorded four straight quality starts and allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his last 14 outings. The 26-year-old took the loss last time out, as he allowed three runs over six innings in a 5-2 defeat at Minnesota. Taillon beat the Cubs on July 31, but he’s 3-3 with a 4.86 ERA in six career meetings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 2B-OF Ben Zobrist recorded two more hits Saturday and has gone 28-for-71 since the All-Star break to raise his average to .309.

2. Pirates LHP Felipe Vazquez converted his 17th consecutive save chance Saturday and has pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings this month.

3. Cubs RHP Brandon Morrow (biceps) on Saturday threw his first bullpen session since going on the disabled list July 15, but there is no timetable for his return.

PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Cubs 3