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Chicago Cubs (29-22) at Pittsburgh Pirates | PNC Park, Pittsburgh | 1:35 PM ET \/ 12:35 PM CT<\/strong><\/p>\n The Chicago Cubs<\/strong> (29\u201322 after finally ending the losing streak) travel to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates at PNC Park for the series opener. We’re coming off a BRUTAL stretch where we lost 10 of 12 games including getting SWEPT by the Brewers (moved us to SECOND PLACE) and nearly swept by the Astros! Ben Brown<\/strong> starts for us trying to build on ending the skid!<\/p>\n This is the series opener\u2014can we start building momentum on the road?<\/p>\n Record: 29-22 (Seven Games Over .500, SECOND PLACE in NL Central)<\/strong><\/p>\n We’re 29\u201322 and seven games over .500 in SECOND PLACE<\/strong> (1 game behind Milwaukee) after FINALLY ending our brutal stretch! We lost 10 of 12 games<\/strong> including getting SWEPT by the Brewers (19-5 aggregate!) and nearly swept by the Astros before finally avoiding the sweep in the series finale!<\/p>\n Recent Struggles:<\/strong><\/p>\n Key Stats:<\/strong><\/p>\n Ben Brown Today:<\/strong><\/p>\n We need a fresh start on the road after that brutal homestand!<\/p>\n Record: Recent Momentum, Playing at Home<\/strong><\/p>\n The Pirates are playing BETTER baseball lately according to reports. They have better recent momentum<\/strong> and stronger overall team production<\/strong> heading into this series. They’re playing at PNC Park<\/strong> where they’ve been solid this season!<\/p>\n Pirates Strengths:<\/strong><\/p>\n What We’re Facing:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Pirates are playing well but we need to bounce back!<\/p>\n Ben Brown vs Pirates Lineup<\/strong> Cubs Offense (Only 7 runs in last 5 before finale!) vs Pirates<\/strong> Fresh Start on the Road<\/strong> Stay in NL Central Race<\/strong> Ben Brown Gives Us Quality<\/strong> OFFENSE WAKES UP<\/strong> Play Clean Defense<\/strong> Start Building Momentum<\/strong> Final Score: Cubs 5, Pirates 3<\/strong><\/p>\n Ben Brown battles\u20146 innings, 3 runs. Gives us a quality start on the road!<\/p>\n Our offense FINALLY breaks through! Ian Happ drives in runs. Seiya Suzuki contributes. We score 5!<\/p>\n The Pirates score 3 but we START FRESH and win the series opener!<\/p>\n Two-run win. We’re 30\u201322, EIGHT GAMES OVER .500<\/strong>. We start building momentum!<\/p>\n We’re 29\u201322 in SECOND PLACE (1 game back!) after FINALLY ending our brutal stretch! We lost 10 of 12 including getting SWEPT by the Brewers and nearly swept by the Astros! The Pirates have better recent momentum<\/strong> and are playing at home!<\/p>\n Win today and we’re 30\u201322. Start building momentum on the road!<\/p>\n Can Brown give us quality? Will our offense wake up? Can we start fresh?<\/p>\n We went 78\u201384 last year. Going 30\u201322 and bouncing back from the brutal stretch would show RESILIENCE!<\/p>\n Go Cubs Go. Fresh start in Pittsburgh!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Chicago Cubs (29-22) at Pittsburgh Pirates | PNC Park, Pittsburgh | 1:35 PM ET \/ 12:35 PM CT The Chicago Cubs (29\u201322 after finally ending the losing…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2279,"featured_media":418061,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16757],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-418060","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\nCubs Season: 29-22, Finally Ended the Losing Streak!<\/h2>\n
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Pittsburgh Pirates: Playing Better Baseball Lately<\/h2>\n
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Key Matchups at PNC Park<\/h2>\n
\nBrown needs to give us a quality start! The Pirates have been hitting well lately. Keep them down!<\/p>\n
\nWe scored only 7 runs in our last 5 games before the finale! TIME TO HIT on the road!<\/p>\n
\nLost 10 of 12 at one point. SWEPT by Brewers at home. Nearly swept by Astros. Fresh start in Pittsburgh!<\/p>\n
\n29-22, SECOND PLACE, 1 game back. Win today and stay in the race!<\/p>\nWhat the Cubs Need at PNC Park<\/h2>\n
\nBrown needs to give us 6 quality innings and keep the Pirates down!<\/p>\n
\nScored only 7 runs in 5 games during the losing streak! TIME TO HIT!<\/p>\n
\nErrors hurt us during the losing streak. Play clean at PNC Park!<\/p>\n
\nLost 10 of 12. Fresh start on the road. Win the series opener!<\/p>\nCubs Fan Prediction: We Start Fresh!<\/h2>\n
Why the Series Opener Matters<\/h2>\n