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Pittsburgh Pirates Preview
Early deficits have doomed the Pittsburgh Pirates in an 0-2 start to their weekend series at the Chicago Cubs, leaving them searching for a better start Sunday afternoon. Third baseman Colin Moran has helped stabilize the lineup, going 3-for-8 with two home runs and three RBIs in the series thus far.
Lefty Steven Brault is set to start for the Pirates and is expected to yield to Chad Kuhl as part of a piggyback tandem. On Monday, Brault (0-0, 0.00 ERA) pitched two scoreless innings in a rain-shortened home start against the Milwaukee Brewers.
In 14 career appearances against the Cubs — including five starts — he is 0-2 with an 8.22 ERA while allowing 10 home runs in 38 1/3 innings. Pittsburgh has scored five ninth-inning runs in the first two games of the series.
Chicago Cubs Preview
After pitching five no-hit innings in his season debut Monday, Chicago Cubs left-hander Jon Lester will aim to maintain the momentum as the host Chicago Cubs seek a three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday afternoon.
Lester (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is looking to resume his 2019 dominance over the Pirates, against whom he was 3-0 with a 3.16 ERA in five starts covering 25 2/3 innings. The southpaw shined in his first outing of 2020, limiting the Cincinnati Reds to one walk and one hit batsman while striking out one.
Shortstop Javier Baez has three home runs and four RBIs in his past four games. The Cubs have won both of their home series in 2020.
