The Chicago Cubs had their four-game winning streak snapped on Sunday with a gut-wrenching 7-5 defeat to the Cincinnati Reds in their series finale. The defending champs had no answer for Cincinnati pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who pitched three-hit ball over six innings. With the loss, Chicago dropped down to 10-8 in the NL Central standings.
The Cubs will look to return to the win column when they face the Pittsburgh Pirates this coming Monday. Starting for Chicago in this National League matchup is left-hander Brett Anderson (1-0, 4.40 ERA). He struggled mightily in his last start, allowing six runs on eight hits in just 3.2 innings of action. Anderson escaped with a no-decision, however, as the Cubs pulled off a 9-7 victory over the Brewers in that contest. Catcher Miguel Montero took full responsibility for Anderson’s rough outing, saying his game-calling in that outing wasn’t up to par.
With Anderson struggling with his command right now, the onus is on the Chicago hitters to provide some crucial run support tonight. Expected to lead the Cubs offense in the series opener against the Pirates is first baseman Anthony Rizzo. The three-time All-Star is 4-of-7 (.571) in his career against Pittsburgh starter Chad Kuhl with a homer and two RBIs. Rizzo is batting 8-of-23 in his last seven games for the Cubs with two homers and six RBIs.
The total has gone over in the Cubs’ last five road games.
Things are looking up for the Pittsburgh Pirates after grabbing the series win against the powerhouse New York Yankees on Sunday. Ivan Nova tormented his former team, pitching four-hit ball over seven masterful innings in the series finale. Nova has been a revelation for the Bucs, posting a 7-4 record and 2.76 ERA since arriving in Pittsburgh last August.
The Pirates will look to sustain the momentum of that huge win when they lock horns with the Chicago Cubs this coming Monday. Pitching for Pittsburgh in the series opener is Chad Kuhl (1-1, 2.60 ERA). He produced one of his best performances of the season in his last start against the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing just two runs on three hits and a walk over six innings. Kuhl wasn’t rewarded for it, though, as the Bucs absorbed a heart-breaking 2-1 defeat.
Runs have been hard to come by for the Pirates, who are still reeling from Starling Marte’s 80-game suspension. One guy who needs to step up for Pittsburgh in Marte’s absence is Andrew McCutchen. He is 6-of-21 in his last six games with a homer and three RBIs. McCutchen has two hits in seven career at-bats against Chicago starter Brett Anderson.
