Pregame Notes: Chicago Cubs look to keep rolling in Pittsburgh

Hammel looks to help Cubs win third straight

For now, the future is all “here”, as the Chicago Cubs don’t have any more prospects to be called up. At least not yet anyway. After a whirlwind week that saw

, and now

join the Cubs? This team has a completely different feel to it. Last night’s 9-8 comeback win is proof. That never happened once last year. Not a single time. The Cubs will send

(1-0, 5.11) to the mound to face off against the Pirates

(1-1, 5.84).

The Cubs (8-5) have restocked with Bryant and Russell, with Hammel being one of the pieces that helped get Russell here in the trade with the A’s. Hammel has been consistent, but not impressive in his first two starts, allowing seven earned runs in 12 innings but has helped his own cause by going 3-for-6 at the plate. His biggest concern will be Andrew McCutchen. Even with a slow start to this season, he’s hit Hammel hard, going 6-for-20 with two home runs.

The Pirates (6-8) have fared well in Worley’s starts against the Cubs, as he’s 2-0 with a 2.39 ERA in four career starts. Starlin Castro, who has been one of the biggest keys to the Cubs offense has struggled against Worley, going 1-for-8 with six strikeouts against him.

News and Notes:

• The Cubs have won three of their last four, and in that stretch Castro has gone 9-for-19, including the game-tying two-run single in yesterday’s game.
• In Bryant’s first two road games, he’s gone 5-for-8 with five RBIs.
• Tuesday marked the highest rated Cubs game on WGN-TV since 2011, drawing more than 187,000 households and 231,900 viewers

First pitch is slated for 6:05 p.m. CT at PNC Park.

Here are the lineups for tonight’s game: