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Maddon not looking ahead to crucial series with Bucs

PHILADELPHIA -- The Cubs have a chance to gain some ground in the National League Wild Card standings if they do well against the Pirates in their upcoming four-game series, but manager Joe Maddon wants the players to take it one game at time.

"Four one-game winning streaks would be great," Maddon said of the series, which will feature four games in three days. "If you start getting caught up in that big thing, it could really mess your head up. You just play that game and move on."

The Cubs, who began Sunday 2 1/2 games behind the Pirates in the NL Central standings and the Wild Card standings, will play a day-night doubleheader on Tuesday, followed by single games Wednesday and Thursday.