The Chicago Cubs are in an opportunistic position to stave off a possible 100-loss season.
Opportunistic in the sense Saturday's opponent, the Pittsburgh Pirates, are slumping. The Pirates have lost 18 of their last 27 games after being poised to make the post-season for the first time since 1992.
The Cubs put a 12-2 drubbing on the Pirates in the first of their three game set in Pittsburgh Friday. The Pirates committed seven errors in the loss, just one day after finishing off Houston for the Buccos' second consecutive win.
Chicago will start Jeff Samardzija for the final time this season, having announced he won't pitch again after today's start. He's 8-13 this season with a 3.91 ERA and also owns the lowest run support among starters in MLB, getting 3.15 runs per game.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT.
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