Pirates downplay series with Cubs
PITTSBURGH — The Pirates have a big series beginning today when they host the Chicago Cubs for four games at PNC Park.
The Pirates hold a four-game lead over the Cubs for the first National League wild card after beating the Milwaukee Brewers 6-5 in 11 innings on Sunday at PNC Park, a win that enabled Pittsburgh to stay within 2 陆 games of the first-place St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central.
However, the Pirates insist that their matchup with the Cubs is no big deal. In fact, to hear manager Clint Hurdle and the players tell it, they barely glance at the standings.
“We’re just going to keep playing,” Hurdle said. “We’ve been excited since opening day. We’ve taken the mindset for years about not having a September gear, not having an August gear, about playing October baseball from opening day on. That’s the mood we’ve tried to create here.
“The season is going to play itself out and we’ve just got to keep working on getting better and trying to win some games.”
Utility player Josh Harrison, whose walk-off single won it for the Pirates on Sunday, reiterated Hurdle’s stance and said that he could vouch that the rest of his teammates carry the same attitude
“It’s not anything that we look at it,” Harrison said of the standings. “We’ve still got some weeks to play. The best way to approach it is just to worry about the way you play. We just need to keep playing like we have been — pitch well, play defense, hit, run the bases — that’s the type of team we are.”
The series begins with a day-night doubleheader. Gerrit Cole (16-8, 2.54) will pitch for the Pirates against Jason Hammel (8-6, 3.59) in the day game and J.A. Happ (5-1, 1.79) will face Jon Lester (9-10, 3.50) in a matchup of left-handers in the nightcap.
The Pirates will start A.J. Burnett (8-5, 3.14) on Wednesday night against Jake Arrieta (19-6, 1.99) and Charlie Morton (9-7, 4.02) will square off against Kyle Hendricks (7-6, 4.08) in the series finale on Thursday afternoon.
“It’s a nice sidebar conversation that so many people are talking about it, but it’s really just four more games,” Hurdle said.
First, the Pirates will enjoy their only off day in September on Monday, which comes after they rallied from a five-run deficit to win their third straight game.
“We’ll enjoy this win tonight then take (Monday) off, regroup, relax, watch some football then get ready for two on Tuesday,” Harrison said with a smile after Sunday’s game. “It should be fun.”