PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — The Chicago Cubs, clinging to a National League wild-card spot, open a crucial three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night at PNC Park.

The Cubs (85-64) enter the final stretch of the season after a 4-3 walk-off win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. Nico Hoerner drove in three runs, including the game-winner, to help Chicago avoid a series sweep and maintain its postseason positioning.

They now face a Pirates team (65-85) that has struggled down the stretch but has played the Cubs tough this season. The head-to-head series has been remarkably even, with the teams splitting the last 10 meetings. Five of those games were decided by a single run, including the Cubs’ 4-3 victory in their most recent matchup on Aug. 17.

Chicago has won seven of its last 11 games as it navigates a demanding September schedule. The Pirates, conversely, are coming off a 4-3 loss to the Washington Nationals on Sunday, dropping them to 4-6 in their last 10 contests.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the Cubs are projected to win with a final score of 5-3. Their ELO rating system gives Chicago a 58% probability of victory. Betting markets have installed the Cubs as a road favorite with a -1.5 run spread. The over/under for total runs is set at 8.5.

This series marks the start of the final homestand of the season for Pittsburgh. Following this set, the Pirates will host the Athletics before finishing the year with road series against the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves.

For the Cubs, the importance of each game is magnified as they continue a 10-game road trip. After Pittsburgh, they travel to face the Reds before returning to Wrigley Field for a homestand against the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. EDT. Probable starting pitchers had not been announced.