Pregame Notes: Cubs try to get off on right foot against Pirates

Apr 2, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Edwin Jackson (36) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

After having to salvage the final game of their first two series of the season, the Cubs look to get off on the right foot in the first of a three-game set with the Pirates at Wrigley Field tonight.

Pittsburgh (4-2) took two of three in their season-opening series in Pittsburgh, highlighted by a 16-inning marathon last Wednesday – a 4-3 Pirates victory. The starting pitchers from that night will face off once again tonight. It will be Charlie Morton (0-0, 0.00 ERA) for the Bucs and Edwin Jackson (0-0, 1.69 ERA) for the Cubs.

The Cubs (2-4) hope their timely hitting on Sunday will carry over into tonight. Prior to Sunday, Chicago was 4-for-40 with runners in scoring position. Sunday, the Cubs went 4-for-7 in similar situations. It helped the Cubs win the final game of the series over the Phillies 8-3.

Emilio Bonifacio had 11 hits in last week’s series and looks to keep the good times rolling. He is hitting .500 early on in the 2014 campaign. Meanwhile, reigning NL MVP Andrew McCutchen is hitting .381 with two home runs off Jackson – and he has a career on-base percentage at Wrigley Field of .488.

First pitch is set for 7:05 pm CST and the game will be televised on CSN Chicago, as well as broadcast on WGN Radio AM 720.

Here are tonight’s starting lineups:

— MLBLineups (@mlblineups) April 8, 2014