Pittsburgh @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 13, 2019 ) Pittsburgh 8, Chi. Cubs 17

The Chicago Cubs are among the worst road teams in the National League, making it imperative they fare well on their final homestand - a 10-game run against three division opponents. The Cubs came out swinging in their first game back at Wrigley Field in 10 days and will look to keep the offense rolling in the second of a three-game set versus the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday afternoon.

Locked in a tight duel with Milwaukee for the second wild card, Chicago erased an early four-run deficit in the 17-8 romp behind a five-homer barrage to improve to 47-24 at home. Rookie shortstop Nico Hoerner, called up due to injuries to Javier Baez and Addison Russell, homered on the first pitch he saw at Wrigley to become the first Chicago player since 1943 with eight RBIs in his first five career games. Nicholas Castellanos tied his career high with his 26th blast - and 15th in 40 games since he was acquired at the trade deadline - to draw the Cubs within two homers of matching the franchise record of 235 set in 2004. Kevin Newman went 3-for-5 and has hit safely in eight straight games for Pittsburgh, which fell to 1-6 at Wrigley this season.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH James Marvel (0-1, 3.60 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (10-9, 3.33)

Although he came out on the short end of a decision, Marvel pitched well in his major league debut versus the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday, allowing two runs on four hits over five innings in a 2-0 setback. The former Duke product, who will turn 26 on Tuesday, earned his promotion to Pittsburgh by compiling a 7-0 record with a 2.67 ERA in 11 starts at Triple-A Indianapolis. Marvel started the year at Double-A Altoona, making 17 starts and posting a 9-5 record and 3.10 ERA.

Hendricks continued his strong stretch run in his last outing at San Diego on Monday, picking up the victory by limiting the Padres to two runs (one earned) and seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. It was the fourth time in five outings he has allowed one earned run or fewer, including a victory at Pittsburgh on Aug. 16 in which he yielded three hits over seven innings with one run given up in a no-decision. Adam Frazier is 4-for-10 against Hendricks, who has been outstanding at home with a 5-2 record and 1.77 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates 1B Josh Bell (groin) exited Friday's game and is listed as day-to-day.

2. Cubs C Willson Contreras set a career high by clubbing his 22nd and 23 homers Friday.

3. Pirates CF Starling Marte missed his fifth straight start due to a left wrist sprain.

PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Pirates 2