The Pittsburgh Pirates face an immensely difficult task this weekend. As if losing seven of their last eight games wasn’t bad enough, the Bucs begin a three game series this afternoon against the first place Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
The Pirates (33-33) enter the series sitting 12 games behind the Cubs (44-20) in the National League Central division. The Bucs, who have been bombarded with injuries, will look to gain some ground in the division race, but it will not be easy.
As always, a Pirates-Cubs series is bound to be an interesting one. The two teams have developed an intriguing rivalry over the last few years, which means there will be plenty of matchups to keep an eye on.
3.) Jake Arrieta vs Just about everyone
For the Pirates, there isn’t much good news when it comes to who they have to face on the hill this afternoon. Jake Arrieta, last year’s National League Cy Young award winner, will be the Cubs starter in game one of this three game set. As he was in 2015, Arrieta has been lights out for the Cubs this year, ranking in the top five in the NL in various categories. Arrieta is tied for first in wins (10), second in ERA (1.86) and fourth in WHIP (0.95).
In his last 22 decisions, Arrieta has won 21 of them, carrying a 1.13 ERA during that span. Arrieta is 2-0 this season in two starts against the Pirates and will look to take them down once again tonight.
Pirates hitters including Jung Ho Kang (.154), Gregory Polanco (.182), Josh Harrison (.077) and Starling Marte (.200) aren’t hitting well against the Cubs right hander throughout their careers. However, guys like Andrew McCutchen (.310) and Matt Joyce (.412) have somehow found a way to have success against Arrieta.
Despite what the Pirates have endured in the last month, this game will be an interesting one to watch. The Pirates are in desperate need of getting back on track, but Arrieta is the first Cubs ace standing in their way.
2.) Francisco Liriano vs Anthony Rizzo
Plain and simple, Francisco Liriano hasn’t been his usual self this season. Liriano, who was 12-7 with a 3.38 ERA just one year ago, has struggled thus far in 2016. This season, Liriano is 4-6 with a 4.92 ERA and a NL leading 41 walks. Aside from the free passes, Liriano has also had problems giving up the long ball, ranking second on the Pirates with 13 home runs allowed.
Liriano’s last three starts are indicative of his struggles. In those three outings, Liriano is 0-3 and allowed three or more walks in each start while giving up a total of 16 runs (12 earned).
Despite the slump that the veteran lefty finds himself in, he has had success against the Cubs in the past. In 12 career starts, he is 5-3 with a 3.13 ERA and has had a ton of success against Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
This season, Rizzo has been exceptional for the Cubs, hitting .260 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI. Rizzo also has shown exceptional plate discipline, compiling 36 walks compared to 37 strikeouts.
Throughout his career, Rizzo hasn’t had much success against Liriano. The 26-year old is 5-for-26 (.192) with one home run, three RBI, two walks and nine strikeouts against the veteran and has scored three runs in the process.
Liriano will look to break out of his slump as he takes the mound against Arrieta this afternoon. The Cubs are only hitting .258 against lefties this season, so this could help Liriano. However, he will have to be careful against hitters such as Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Rizzo. They are players who could turn a good outing into a bad one in an instant and Pirates fans are bound to be holding their breath as Liriano pitches through this lineup.
1.) Jameson Taillon vs Cubs
Sunday night, the Pirates and the Cubs play on a huge stage, Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN. While Kyle Hendricks takes the mound for the Cubs, the Pirates send Jameson Taillon to the mound to oppose him.
Taillon is coming off just his second career major league start, but he gave fans a glimpse of what to expect of him in the future. In his last start against the New York Mets, Taillon pitched eight shutout innings, while giving up two hits, walking one and striking out five in the process of getting his first major league win. Taillon was incredibly effective and showcased his nasty curveball in his second big league outing, while showing an incredible amount of poise on the mound.
Taillon will find that his biggest test is two days away when he plays against the best team in baseball on national television. Taillon, who has the tools to be another star pitcher in the Pirates rotation, hasn’t been phased in his first two outings against the Mets, but the Cubs are a different beast. It will be interesting to see Taillon’s approach against the Cubs stellar lineup, to see him go up against the likes of Bryant and Rizzo, and to see if he can continue to pitch effectively for a team that is in dire need of some good pitching performances.
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