After a rocky start to their five-game homestand, the Cubs went 2-1 in their against the Giants. They left Chicago with a 27-22 record and are 4.5 games behind Milwaukee in the Central. The Pirates await the Cubs in beautiful PNC Park with a 28-24 record, half-game behind the Cubs in the division.
The Pirates have been pretty good on offense so far this year, ranking seventh as a group in fWAR (8.9) and slashing .259/.331/.427. Leading the way is Francisco Cervelli (2.1 fWAR; .285/.404/.531), who is turning in a great 2018 campaign so far. Starling Marte (1.