Chicago @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2019 ) Chi. Cubs 2, Pittsburgh 9

The Chicago Cubs have completely unraveled down the stretch, mired in a seven-game losing streak that has the team on the brink of elimination entering the second of a three-game series at the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night. After a sloppy performance in Tuesday's series-opening debacle, the Cubs will be KO'd from the playoff picture with one loss or a win by Milwaukee.

Chicago's streak of four straight playoff appearances is about to end after committing five errors in Tuesday's 9-2 loss that left it five games behind the Brewers with five to play. Rookie shortstop Nico Hoerner, one of the bright spots during the fateful final month for the Cubs, collected a pair of hits and drove in both runs to extend his hitting streak to four games. The Pirates snapped a nine-game slide with Tuesday's win, a drought that started when they were bludgeoned for 47 runs in a three-game sweep in Chicago. Pittsburgh's Erik González has hit safely in eight straight contests after launching a two-run blast for his first homer of the season.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (13-10, 4.51 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Dario Agrazal (4-5, 5.08)

Lester has been wildly inconsistent, winding up with a no-decision last time out versus Cincinnati after tossing five innings of one-run ball and earning the win in his previous turn despite getting rocked for seven runs on 11 hits. The 35-year-old improved to 3-0 with a 3.20 ERA in four starts against the Pirates this season with six scoreless innings of four-hit ball at PNC Park on Aug. 17. Adam Frazier is 5-for-8 and Kevin Newman 5-for-12 against Lester, who is 5-6 with a 4.82 ERA on the road.

Agrazal recorded a season-high six strikeouts but was victimized by a pair of home runs in a loss to Seattle on Wednesday, giving up four runs over five innings -- the ninth straight outing in which he has failed to pitch beyond five frames. The 24-year-old rookie from Panama has never faced Chicago but is only 2-3 with a 5.67 ERA at home while continuing to struggle with the long ball overall, serving up 14 in 67 1/3 innings. Teams are batting .300 with runners in scoring position against Agrazal.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs LF Kyle Schwarber has four doubles during a five-game hitting streak.

2. Pirates RF Kevin Kramer broke out of a 2-for-20 rut with a two-run double.

3. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant (sprained ankle) sat out Tuesday but no timetable has been given for his return.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Pirates 4