Game 155: Pirates at Cubs

Probables: Francisco Liriano (11-7, 3.41) vs. Jason Hammel (9-6, 3.79)
Preview:
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/201509...game_pk=415965
"Likely postseason foes, Bucs, Cubs battle for seeding
By Tom Singer / MLB.com | @Tom_Singer | + 3 COMMENTS
All of Wrigley Field -- the Cubs and more than 40,000 of their closest friends -- were hoping for a celebration on Friday, but the Pirates wouldn't let the party happen so soon with their 3-2 victory. But many hours later, the Cubs clinched their first postseason berth since 2008 after the Giants fell to the A's.
Now that they've clinched, the Cubs turn their focus to chasing home-field advantage in the Oct. 7 NL Wild Card Game presented by Budweiser. The Pirates have a 4 1/2-game lead over the Cubs, and it will be up to Chicago starter Jason Hammel to keep that goal within reach. Hammel will be opposed by left-hander Francisco Liriano, whose last 15 starts have yielded 14 Bucs wins.
In all likelihood, the Cubs and the Pirates are just jockeying to see which team will get to host an NL Wild Card Game for which they are both destined. The competition between the two original NL franchises is only heightened by the fact both are winning teams in the same season for the first time since 1972 -- when Roberto Clemente was in right field for Pittsburgh, and Ron Santo was at third base for Chicago.
Three things to know about this game
• Mark Melancon could be on the mound looking for his 52nd save, which would tie Eric Gagne (2002) for the fifth-highest NL total since saves became an official statistic in 1969.
• The Cubs will be out to avoid a third consecutive home loss for the first time since July 24-26.
• Despite going hitless in Friday's game, a run-scoring grounder extended Starling Marte's RBI streak to six games, a career high.
Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog Change for a Nickel. He can also be found on Twitter @Tom_Singer and on his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs."