The Cubs return home with their tales between their legs after consecutive series losses to the Tigers and Phillies. They can’t feel too bad, however, as going 4-5 on the road trip enabled them to gain ground on the Cardinals and Brewers. Now they face the Pirates for four games starting Thursday at Wrigley.
On the bump for the home team is Jameson Taillon, the former second overall pick by the Pirates back in 2010. He’s riding a tremendous stretch of four games over which he’s allowed only five earned runs with 16 strikeouts and five walks. His strikeout rate is below 20% for the second season in a row, but his walk rate is near the best of his career and he’s giving up less hard contact than at any point with the Cubs.