Predicting The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Final Homestand Of The Season

Saturday September 13 Chicago Cubs 64-83 [Felix Doubront 3-5 5.43 ERA] vs Pittsburgh Pirates 77-69 [Jeff Locke 7-4 3.60 ERA] 7:05 p.m.

Sep 10, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher

(55) is congratulated by right fielder

(23) after hitting a home run fifth inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t be fooled as much by Doubront’s ERA, most of the damage was with the Boston Red Sox prior to coming over via a trade. His ERA in two starts with the Cubs is 2.25. Russell Martin is the only Pirates player with double digit at-bats against Doubront. Martin has two hits in 10 at-bats but those hits are a double and home run. Doubront lost his last start against the Pirates allowing two runs in five innings. In his win Monday versus the Philadelphia Phillies, manager Clint Hurdle said Locke had his best start of the season. In 36 at-bats against Locke, the Cubs have six total hits. I do feel as though Locke will get to that magic number of seven innings and that will get the win in this one.

Final score Pirates 4 Cubs 1
WP- Locke [8-4]
LP- Doubront [3-6/1-2 with the Cubs]

Sunday September 14 Chicago Cubs 64-84 [Jacob Turner 5-9 5.84 ERA] vs Pittsburgh Pirates 78-69 [Edinson Volquez 11-7 3.36 ERA] 1:35 p.m.

I feel as though this is a trap game. The Pirates have had their struggles in days games this season and against a starter that can be hit hard. Other than Ike Davis, this is the first time any Pirate will face Turner, so that could pose some challenges. I have a feeling that this game will be a bullpen kind of game. The Cubs will take the lead at the start, but the Pirates will pull out the win.

Final score Pirates 2 Cubs 1
WP- Hughes [7-5]
LP- Grimm [4-3]
SV- Melancon [29]