Cubs at Pirates 9/26/19 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Chicago Cubs conclude their three-game series on the road Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Chicago lost the opening game of the series on Tuesday 9-2 and has lost seven straight. The Cubs are now on the brink of being eliminated from playoff contention. On Tuesday, the Cubs became just the third team in this decade to commit five errors or more in two separate games.

Pittsburgh scored seven runs in the seventh inning thanks to two errors and timely hitting. Following a throwing error and a fielding error by the Cubs, 13 batters went to the plate during the seventh ending the inning leading 7-1. The loss ended Pittsburgh’s nine-game losing streak. Francisco Liriano pitched a perfect seventh to earn the win.

Anthony Rizzo is leading the Cubs with a .294 batting average. Kris Bryant leads in hits with 153. Kyle Schwarber leads in home runs with 37 and Anthony Rizzo in RBIs with 94. Chicago is averaging .254 at the plate, while opposing hitters are averaging .249. On Thursday, the Cubs will send Jose Quintana to the mound. The lefthander is 13-8 with an ERA of 4.55, 148 Ks and 46 BBs.

Bryan Reynolds is leading Pittsburgh with a .314 batting average, while Starling Marte leads in hits with 159. Josh Bell is leading Pittsburgh in home runs with 37 and RBIs with 116. Pittsburgh is averaging .266 at the plate while opponents are averaging .269. On Thursday, the Pirates will send Joe Musgrove to the mound. The right-hander is 10-12 with an ERA of 4.49, 149 Ks and 37 BBs.