Game 129: Pirates @ Cubs 08.29.2016

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"Pirates-Cubs preview
Pittsburgh
Pirates
67-61
8:05 PM ET
Line: CHC -240
Chicago
Cubs
82-47
PIT: Brault (0-1 , 3.60 ERA) CHC: Arrieta (16-5 , 2.62 ERA)
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Tickets
9:20 PM ET
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CHICAGO -- A National League division title might almost be out of reach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but they remain alive for October's postseason party.
The Pirates (67-61) are in the thick of the NL wild-card chase after a 3-1 victory on Sunday and four-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Pittsburgh has won five of its last six, is 30-20 in its last 50 games and stands just a half game out of the second wild-card spot.
"We're going to leave here in a good place, but we've got to show up in Chicago," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said after Sunday's win at Miller Park. "We'll look forward to it. I don't think you could ask for much more here at the end of August. We get to play meaningful games. It should be fun."
The Pirates open a three-game series on Monday against the division-leading Cubs (82-47) at Wrigley Field, the start of a seven-game homestand.
But they'll be without right-hander Gerrit Cole, originally slated to start in the opener. Cole (7-9) is 0-3 since Aug. 7 and departed Milwaukee on Sunday for Los Angeles and a reported examination of an ailing right elbow.
"He will miss at least his next start," Pirates GM Neal Huntington told reporters on Sunday.
Instead, right-hander Steven Brault (0-1, 3.60 ERA) is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to make his third career start and third appearance this season with the Pirates.
"He's going to be in the big leagues, he's going to be excited to be here," Hurdle said. "It's his third start and he's got a little experience doing this. We just want him to pound the zone and mix his pitches. We've seen him be able to use the fastball to both sides of the plate. He's an intelligent guy who game plans with the catchers well."
Also up from Triple-A Indianapolis is right-handed reliever A.J. Schugel. Originally an expected September call-up, Schugel has a 3.69 ERA in 49 previous appearances this season.
Brault faces Cubs ace Jake Arrieta (16-2, 2.62 ERA).
After a midsummer slump going 1-4 in seven starts, Arrieta is 4-0 in August and is coming off an eight-inning shutout effort over the Padres on Aug. 23.
Arrieta's 16 victories top the league and hes 9-2 in his career with a 1.99 ERA in 13 starts against the Pirates, including a 4-1 record at home.
He had a similar run in August 2015, going 6-0 in the month and completing the regular season with an 11-0 record en route to NL Cy Young Award honors.
The Cubs dropped a 1-0 decision on Sunday to the Los Angeles Dodgers to conclude a 5-4 West Coast swing but maintain a 14-game lead over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals and are 14 1/2 ahead of the Pirates. With 33 games to play, the Cubs own baseball's winningest record and their division lead is the big league's largest.
Along with the three-game series at Chicago, the Cubs and Pirates will play a four-game set Sept. 26-29 at PNC Park."