Chicago Cubs Open Pirates Series with Assad on Mound
The Chicago Cubs have set their pitching probables for their series with the Pittsburgh Pirates, which starts on Tuesday at Wrigley Field.
The all three games will start at 6:40 p.m. central. The Pirates have not announced their pitching rotation for the series.
The Cubs (78-72) would realistically need to win their remaining games to have any chance of catching the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central. Now, the Cubs have to hang on tight to remain in the NL Wild Card race.
Right-hander Javier Assad (3-3, 310) is expected to start Tuesday’s game for the Cubs.
Assad took a no-decision against Colorado on Tuesday, going just 3.1 innings and allowing five hits and four earned runs. He walked four and struck out four. In his last seven starts, the former reliever is 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA, with 28 strikeouts and 13 walks in his last 42.0 innings.
Wednesday’s game will pit Cubs left-hander Justin Steele (16-4, 2.73) against a Pirates starter to be announced.
Steele lost his last start against Arizona on Friday. The Diamondbacks shelled him for seven hits and six earned runs, as he walked two and struck out five. Still, he’s undeniably been the Cubs’ best starter this season. He is 3-1 in his last seven starts and 9-2 in his last 15.
The Cubs are going to start right-hander Kyle Hendricks (6-7, 3.77) in the finale on Thursday.
Hendricks took a no-decision against Arizona on Saturday. He allowed seven hits and three earned runs in 5.1 innings. He struck out three and walked one. He is 2-1 with a 3.35 ERA in his last seven starts, with 29 strikeouts and eight walks in his last 40.1 innings.
After the Cubs wrap up their series with the Pirates, they remain home to start a three-game series with Colorado that starts on Friday.
