PREVIEW: Cubs at Pirates

PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — The Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates will meet Thursday night at PNC Park for the finale of a three-game series, with both teams holding identical 29-26 records. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with rain in the forecast and temperatures near 75 degrees.

Right-hander Colin Rea (4-3) is scheduled to start for the Cubs. He will oppose Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes (6-4). The Pirates have been installed as 1.5-run favorites, with the over/under set at 7.5. The Interstat game simulator projects a 4-0 shutout for Pittsburgh.

Players to watch

For the Cubs, left-handed reliever Ryan Rolison has been a frequent arm out of the bullpen. Over his last 10 appearances, Rolison has worked mostly short stints, allowing two earned runs in 9⅔ innings while striking out 11. In his most recent outing Tuesday against the Pirates, he threw 1⅔ scoreless innings, allowing two hits.

For the Pirates, right-hander Braxton Ashcraft has been dominant. Ashcraft earned the win in Tuesday’s 12-1 rout of the Cubs, allowing one earned run over 6⅓ innings with five strikeouts. Over his last five starts, he is 4-1 with a 1.34 ERA, including a seven-inning, one-run effort May 21 at St. Louis.

Recent history

The Pirates have won two of the first three meetings in this series, including a 2-1 decision Monday and the 12-1 blowout Tuesday. Wednesday’s game ended in a 4-4 tie. Pittsburgh took two of three in Chicago in mid-April.

The Cubs are coming off a 1-12 loss Tuesday. Ian Happ drove in the lone Cubs run. Chicago has lost seven of its last 10 games overall, including a three-game sweep by Houston over the weekend.

The Pirates have won four of their last five games, including a series win at Toronto and back-to-back victories over the Cubs.

Looking ahead

Following Thursday’s game, the Cubs travel to St. Louis for a three-game weekend series against the Cardinals. The Pirates remain home to host the Minnesota Twins for three games beginning Friday.