Pregame Notes: Chicago Cubs face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates for the third time this season

Cubs look to continue winning ways

If familiarity breeds contempt, the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates may very well believe in that. The two will meet for the third series this season, and even the starters can’t get away from each other. The Cubs

(0-1, 4.65) will face off for the second straight time against

(2-2, 4.71) It will be the third start for each against the opponent.

The Cubs (19-15) own the longest active win streak in the baseball following their four-game sweep over the New York Mets. The Cubs battled back in from behind in both contests, erasing a four-run deficit yesterday, and scoring in the eighth and ninth to win on Wednesday.

Kris Bryant and Addison Russell continue to drive the Cubs offense, as Bryant comes off the Mets series having gone 6-for-14 with two home runs. Russell was the new kid looking to find his way when the two met last time, batting .179 at the time. Since then he’s hit .300, raising his overall average to .256.

The Pirates (17-18) were expected to be the biggest threat to the St. Louis Cardinals, but slow starts from Josh Harrison and Andrew McCutchen have hurt the Buccos. However, McCutchen always seems to hit the Cubs no matter how much he’s struggling. He’s 5-for-25 this season against the Cubs but is a .350 lifetime hitter at Wrigley Field.

Locke will try to slow Bryant, as well as Anthony Rizzo, who just keeps getting on base. Rizzo is the MLB leader in on-base percentage at .470. He’s done it with patience, and with pain as he was hit twice in yesterday’s game.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 pm CT at Wrigley Field. It will be televised on CSN and MLBN, as well as being broadcast on WBBM 780 AM.

Here are the lineups for today’s matchup:

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