PITTSBURGH — If the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to keep their playoff hopes alive, the next four days are critical.
The Pirates (44-48), fourth in the National League Central, play host to the first-place Milwaukee Brewers (52-42) for four games starting Monday night at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh is seven games back of Milwaukee after winning two of three in a weekend series against the third-place St. Louis Cardinals, including a 4-3 walk-off win Sunday.
The Brewers, launching a 10-game, 11-day road trip, are 11-3 their past 14 games. They began Sunday a season-best 11 games over .