PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates open a four-game series Monday afternoon at PNC Park, with a 4:05 p.m. first pitch scheduled under a 74-degree forecast that calls for rain.

The Cubs (29-24) enter after dropping five straight games and six of their last seven, including an 8-5 loss Sunday to the Houston Astros. Chicago has lost four in a row on the road. The Pirates (27-26) are coming off a 4-1 victory Sunday at Toronto, taking two of three from the Blue Jays.

Right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski (4-3, 3.86 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Cubs. The team also listed right-hander Ben Brown (1-2) as a probable pitcher, suggesting a bullpen game or potential doubleheader coverage. Mlodzinski has not faced Pittsburgh this season.

Pittsburgh has not announced a starting pitcher but will look to right-hander Mitch Keller, who is not scheduled to start but has been the team’s most consistent arm. Keller threw six innings of one-run ball in Sunday’s win, striking out five. Over his last two starts, he has allowed five earned runs in 11 2/3 innings.

Chicago first baseman Michael Busch is a player to watch. In Sunday’s loss, he went 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs, snapping a 2-for-22 slump over his previous six games. He has three homers and six RBIs in his last 10 contests.

The Pirates have won two of three games against the Cubs this season, taking the first two of a series in Chicago in April before the Cubs won the finale 7-6. The teams split a three-game set at PNC Park last September.

Chicago comes in amid a 2-5 stretch, while Pittsburgh has won four of seven. The Cubs are 14-13 on the road; the Pirates are 13-13 at home.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 3-2 Pittsburgh victory. Chicago is a -1.5 favorite on the run line, with an over/under of 8 runs.

The series continues Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at PNC Park. Chicago then travels to St. Louis for three games, while Pittsburgh hosts Minnesota for three.