Pittsburgh Pirates look to bounce back versus Chicago Cubs

May 27, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Francisco Liriano (47) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

On Friday, the Pittsburgh Pirates (35-25, 14-14 away) travel to Wrigley Field to take on National League Central rival Chicago (24-33, 11-17 home). The Bucs are 4-2 against the Cubs this season at PNC Park, outscoring Chicago 17-12 in the previous six games.

On Wednesday the Pirates lost 5-0 to the Atlanta Braves due to a Julio Teheran one-hitter. The Buccos have lost five of their six past games, being outscored 29-10 by the Reds and Braves. The Pirates enter Friday’s matchup in Wrigley only 3 1/2 games out of first place in the NL Central and will try to gain ground on division leader St. Louis.

In Los Angeles on Wednesday, the Cubs beat the Angels 8-6 in an extra-inning ball game, as Carlos Ramos hit a three-run homer in the top of the fifth to tie the game and Anthony Rizzo blasted the game-winning three-run double in the top of the 10th.

Friday’s projected starters are the Pirates’ Francisco Liriano (3-2) and the Cubs’ Travis Wood (5-3). In his last start vs. the Cubs, Liriano went seven strong innings and allowed only two hits May 22. At PNC Park on April 4, Wood allowed only one hit through six innings for the early season victory.