Pirates @ Cubs

Who will WIN this matchup?

Pittsburgh Pirates (44-46)

@ Chicago Cubs (48-43)

Starting Pitchers:

Lyles (PIT): 5-5; 4.36 ERA

Lester (CHC) 8-6; 3.72 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Pittsburgh Pirates: 5-5

Chicago Cubs: 4-6

Current odds:

Pittsburgh Pirates: (+165)

Chicago Cubs: (-185)

• Slugger Kris Bryant told reporters the All-Star break was a perfect chance to push the reset button on the season for the struggling Chicago Cubs, and they responded with a 4-3 victory in their return to the field on Friday. The first-place Cubs, who lost five of seven games before the break, look to seal a series victory Saturday afternoon when they host the National League Central-rival Pittsburgh Pirates. Bryant, who is 8-for-15 over his last four contests, played a big role in Friday’s win with a solo homer and later scored the winning run in the eighth inning on Jason Heyward’s single after Chicago’s bullpen coughed up a three-run lead. The Cubs, who have lost four games they led going into the ninth inning this season, will turn to veteran left-hander Jon Lester in Saturday’s contest while Pittsburgh righty Jordan Lyles hopes to find the form he had during his first nine starts when he was 5-1 with a 2.81 ERA.

• The Pirates suffered their fifth loss in 13 outings Friday despite a three-run homer by Starling Marte – playing in his 900th career game – which tied the contest in the top of the eighth inning. Josh Bell, who leads the majors with 84 RBIs, was 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts for Pittsburgh after belting four homers and knocking in 12 runs in 26 previous at-bats against the Cubs this year.

• Lyles is winless in his last five starts after allowing seven runs on 10 hits (three homers) with seven strikeouts against the Cubs on July 4 in an 11-3 setback. The 28-year-old South Carolina native is 0-4 with a 7.83 ERA in those last five outings – all versus NL Central foes – and has 78 strikeouts across 74 1/3 innings overall this year. Bryant is 4-for-7 with a homer versus Lyles, who beat the Cubs with six innings of one-run ball on April 10.

• Lester held the Chicago White Sox to three runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks over 6 1/3 innings last Saturday to post his fifth victory in the last seven starts. The 35-year-old has performed better at home (5-2, 2.42 ERA) than on the road (3-4, 5.09) and boasts a 93-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio overall. Bell is 5-for-19 with a homer, three walks and four RBIs against Lester, who is 9-6 with a 3.12 ERA in 19 career starts versus the Pirates.

• Pittsburgh 3B Colin Moran had a single in four at-bats Friday and is 13-for-27 with five RBIs and five runs scored this month.

• Chicago SS Javier Baez is 11-for-32 during his seven-game hitting streak and 1B Anthony Rizzo is 6-for-14 over the last four contests.

• Pirates manager Clint Hurdle needs one victory to tie Chuck Tanner (711) for fourth on the franchise’s all-time list.