Chicago Cubs haven't won a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates since July 2013, but the Cubs hope to change that when they wrap up a four-game set in Pittsburgh on Thursday afternoon. The Pirates, who have won eight straight series against their National League Central rivals, are trying to salvage a split after holding on for a 4-3 victory Wednesday.
The Cubs claimed the first two games of the series, including a dramatic 9-8 win Tuesday in which they rallied from a three-run deficit in the final two innings, and made things interesting late Wednesday. Rookie phenom Kris Bryant struck out with the tying run aboard to end the game but also had a double and scored twice and is hitting .409 with four doubles and six RBIs in his first six big-league games. The Pirates hope to continue a trend of playing well when left-hander Jeff Locke is on the mound at PNC Park, having won nine of his last 10 home starts. Pittsburgh is wrapping a 10-game homestand during which it has gone 5-4.
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (0-0, 6.10 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Jeff Locke (2-0, 1.93)
After a rocky season debut, Hendricks pitched well last time out, holding San Diego to two runs and three hits over six innings in a no-decision. He gave up a two-run homer in the first before settling in for five scoreless frames and finished with a career-high eight strikeouts. The 25-year-old has never faced the Pirates nor anyone on their active roster.
Locke has never won three straight starts in his career, but he has a chance to change that after beginning the season with two strong outings against Milwaukee. He gave up two runs over six innings in his season debut and limited the Brewers to one run and four hits over eight frames last time out. The 27-year-old is 1-1 with a 3.81 ERA in five career starts against the Cubs.
Seven of Chicago's 14 games have been decided by one run; the Cubs are 4-3 in those contests.
Pirates LF Starling Marte, who is 4-for-8 with two homers and three RBIs in the series, left Wednesday's game with a bruised right hand but X-rays were negative.
Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 3-for-10 with a double and a homer against Locke, but the rest of Chicago's roster is a combined 5-for-33 versus the left-hander.
Cubs are 5-0 in their last 5 games following a loss.
Cubs are 4-0 in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Cubs are 5-1 in their last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.
Cubs are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. National League Central.
Cubs are 7-3 in their last 10 games as an underdog.
Cubs are 16-36 in their last 52 during game 4 of a series.
Cubs are 2-7 in their last 9 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Cubs are 0-4 in their last 4 Thursday games.
Cubs are 7-0 in Hendricks' last 7 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Cubs are 4-0 in Hendricks' last 4 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Cubs are 5-0 in Hendricks' last 5 starts vs. National League Central.
Cubs are 4-0 in Hendricks' last 4 starts with 4 days of rest.
Cubs are 11-0 in Hendricks' last 11 starts on grass.
Cubs are 11-1 in Hendricks' last 12 starts.
Cubs are 9-1 in Hendricks' last 10 starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Cubs are 7-1 in Hendricks' last 8 starts as an underdog.
Cubs are 6-1 in Hendricks' last 7 road starts.
Cubs are 4-1 in Hendricks' last 5 road starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Cubs are 4-1 in Hendricks' last 5 starts as a road underdog.
Pirates are 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Pirates are 6-2 in their last 8 during game 4 of a series.
Pirates are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. National League Central.
Pirates are 10-4 in their last 14 Thursday games.
Pirates are 36-15 in their last 51 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Pirates are 36-15 in their last 51 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Pirates are 21-9 in their last 30 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
Pirates are 35-16 in their last 51 games as a home favorite.
Pirates are 39-18 in their last 57 games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
Pirates are 36-17 in their last 53 home games.
Pirates are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Pirates are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Pirates are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Pirates are 4-0 in Lockes last 4 starts as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
Pirates are 4-0 in Lockes last 4 starts as a favorite of -110 to -150.
Pirates are 9-1 in Lockes last 10 home starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Pirates are 9-1 in Lockes last 10 home starts.
Pirates are 6-1 in Lockes last 7 starts as a home favorite.
Pirates are 4-1 in Lockes last 5 starts as a favorite.
Pirates are 4-1 in Lockes last 5 starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Pirates are 4-1 in Lockes last 5 Thursday starts.
Pirates are 5-2 in Lockes last 7 starts vs. National League Central.
Pirates are 17-8 in Lockes last 25 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Pirates are 2-5 in Lockes last 7 starts with 4 days of rest.
Over is 13-3-1 in Cubs last 17 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
Over is 4-1 in Cubs last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Under is 7-2-1 in Cubs last 10 vs. National League Central.
Over is 3-1-2 in Cubs last 6 overall.
Over is 3-1-2 in Cubs last 6 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Over is 3-1-1 in Cubs last 5 road games.
Over is 3-1-2 in Cubs last 6 on grass.
Under is 3-1-1 in Cubs last 5 road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Under is 5-2-1 in Cubs last 8 games following a loss.
Over is 7-3 in Cubs last 10 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Over is 14-6-1 in Cubs last 21 games as an underdog.
Over is 32-15-5 in Cubs last 52 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 4-0 in Hendricks' last 4 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 5-1 in Hendricks' last 6 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Under is 5-1 in Hendricks' last 6 starts vs. National League Central.
Over is 4-1 in Hendricks' last 5 starts as a road underdog.
Over is 4-1 in Hendricks' last 5 road starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Over is 5-2 in Hendricks' last 7 road starts.
Under is 4-1 in Pirates last 5 Thursday games.
Over is 4-1-2 in Pirates last 7 vs. National League Central.
Under is 14-4 in Pirates last 18 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
Under is 10-3-1 in Pirates last 14 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 3-1-2 in Pirates last 6 overall.
Over is 3-1-2 in Pirates last 6 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Over is 3-1-2 in Pirates last 6 games as a home favorite.
Over is 3-1-2 in Pirates last 6 on grass.
Under is 3-1-1 in Pirates last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 3-1-2 in Pirates last 6 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Over is 3-1-2 in Pirates last 6 home games.
Over is 3-1-2 in Pirates last 6 games as a favorite.
Under is 3-1-1 in Pirates last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 14-5-2 in Pirates last 21 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 8-3-1 in Pirates last 12 during game 4 of a series.
Under is 20-8 in Pirates last 28 games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
Over is 4-0 in Lockes last 4 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Over is 5-1 in Lockes last 6 starts as a favorite.
Over is 4-1 in Lockes last 5 starts as a favorite of -110 to -150.
Over is 12-3-2 in Lockes last 17 starts with 4 days of rest.
Over is 12-3-2 in Lockes last 17 starts on grass.
Over is 4-1-1 in Lockes last 6 starts as a home favorite.
Over is 12-3-2 in Lockes last 17 starts overall.
Over is 4-1 in Lockes last 5 starts vs. National League Central.
Over is 18-7-4 in Lockes last 29 starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Over is 5-2-1 in Lockes last 8 home starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Over is 5-2-1 in Lockes last 8 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 5-2-1 in Lockes last 8 home starts.
Over is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings.
Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings in Pittsburgh.
Cubs are 6-14 in the last 20 meetings in Pittsburgh.
Cubs are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings.
Pirates are 1-4 in Lockes last 5 starts vs. Cubs.
Umpire Trends - Kerwin Danley
Under is 4-0 in Danleys last 4 Thursday games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Road team is 7-1 in Danleys last 8 games behind home plate.
Under is 5-1 in Danleys last 6 Thursday games behind home plate.
Under is 4-1 in Danleys last 5 games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Under is 38-11-3 in Danleys last 52 games behind home plate.
Road team is 8-3 in Danleys last 11 games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Under is 5-2 in Danleys last 7 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
Pirates are 0-4 in their last 4 games with Danley behind home plate.
Cubs are 0-4 in their last 4 Thursday games with Danley behind home plate.
CHICAGO CUBS
James McDonald SP Shoulder 60-day DL
BETTING TRENDS
CHICAGO CUBS
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Chi Cubs's last 21 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
Chi Cubs are 3-8 SU in their last 11 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Chi Cubs are 6-14 SU in their last 20 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 8-3 SU in their last 11 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 14-6 SU in their last 20 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
Although the club's latest comeback attempt fell short, the Chicago Cubs' dangerous new-look lineup isn't making things easy on opposing pitching staffs all the way until the final out.
Chicago, however, could be missing a key piece if its speedy leadoff man can't play in the series finale at PNC Park.
With Dexter Fowler's status uncertain, the Cubs will try to bounce back by taking three of four in this series Thursday when Jeff Locke goes after his third straight win for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chicago (8-6) has two wins when trailing entering the ninth inning this season after going 0-79 a year ago. After scoring three in the ninth in Tuesday's 9-8 victory, the Cubs nearly pulled off another late rally.
Trailing 4-1 in the eighth inning Wednesday, they scored twice after loading the bases with nobody out but failed to take the lead as Pittsburgh reliever Tony Watson got the final two outs.
Anthony Rizzo singled in the ninth inning before Watson fanned Kris Bryant to end Chicago's four-game road win streak.
"They got us," manager Joe Maddon said. "We just couldn't get a hit when we needed to. If we keep playing with that kind of intensity and effort on a nightly basis we're going to win a lot of games this year."
Bryant doubled for the fourth straight contest and reached base two more times. The third baseman is 9 for 18 with six RBIs and a .640 on-base percentage since going 0 for 4 in his debut against San Diego last Friday.
The Cubs, though, could be minus Fowler after he left Wednesday's game due to tightness in his right groin. The center fielder has scored 10 runs and stolen four bases over his last 11 games.
Pittsburgh (7-8) will try to build a safer cushion as it looks to wrap up a 6-4 homestand.
After allowing two runs over six innings in a 6-2 win at Milwaukee on April 10, Locke again baffled the Brewers on Saturday when the left-hander surrendered one run and four hits with six strikeouts over eight innings in a 6-2 home victory.
"You've just got to attack guys. Keep the ball down," Locke, who retired 23 of his last 25 batters, told MLB's official website.
Locke (2-0, 1.93 ERA) has pitched particularly well at PNC Park, going 5-2 with a 2.77 ERA in his last 11 starts while Pittsburgh has won nine of those games. He's 1-1 with a 2.95 mark in three home outings versus Chicago.
After allowing five runs over 4 1-3 innings in a 6-5 win at Colorado on April 12, Kyle Hendricks (0-0, 6.10) worked five scoreless innings after giving up a first-inning two-run home run in Saturday's 7-6 home win over San Diego.
The right-hander has gone 7-2 with a 2.88 ERA in 15 career starts, but he'll get his first look at the Pirates.
Gregory Polanco, who hit his first home run Wednesday, is 8 for 21 over his past six games. Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison have yet to get on track in this series, going 3 for 24 with seven strikeouts.
Jordy Mercer will likely be a game-time decision after missing three games with a bruised chest, while Starling Marte's status is uncertain after he was hit by a pitch on his right hand Wednesday.
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The Cubs claimed the first two games of the series, including a dramatic 9-8 win Tuesday in which they rallied from a three-run deficit in the final two innings, and made things interesting late Wednesday. Rookie phenom Kris Bryant struck out with the tying run aboard to end the game but also had a double and scored twice and is hitting .409 with four doubles and six RBIs in his first six big-league games. The Pirates hope to continue a trend of playing well when left-hander Jeff Locke is on the mound at PNC Park, having won nine of his last 10 home starts. Pittsburgh is wrapping a 10-game homestand during which it has gone 5-4.
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (0-0, 6.10 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Jeff Locke (2-0, 1.93)
After a rocky season debut, Hendricks pitched well last time out, holding San Diego to two runs and three hits over six innings in a no-decision. He gave up a two-run homer in the first before settling in for five scoreless frames and finished with a career-high eight strikeouts. The 25-year-old has never faced the Pirates nor anyone on their active roster.
Locke has never won three straight starts in his career, but he has a chance to change that after beginning the season with two strong outings against Milwaukee. He gave up two runs over six innings in his season debut and limited the Brewers to one run and four hits over eight frames last time out. The 27-year-old is 1-1 with a 3.81 ERA in five career starts against the Cubs.
Seven of Chicago's 14 games have been decided by one run; the Cubs are 4-3 in those contests.
Pirates LF Starling Marte, who is 4-for-8 with two homers and three RBIs in the series, left Wednesday's game with a bruised right hand but X-rays were negative.
Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 3-for-10 with a double and a homer against Locke, but the rest of Chicago's roster is a combined 5-for-33 versus the left-hander.
Cubs are 5-0 in their last 5 games following a loss.
Cubs are 4-0 in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Cubs are 5-1 in their last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.
Cubs are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. National League Central.
Cubs are 7-3 in their last 10 games as an underdog.
Cubs are 16-36 in their last 52 during game 4 of a series.
Cubs are 2-7 in their last 9 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Cubs are 0-4 in their last 4 Thursday games.
Cubs are 7-0 in Hendricks' last 7 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Cubs are 4-0 in Hendricks' last 4 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Cubs are 5-0 in Hendricks' last 5 starts vs. National League Central.
Cubs are 4-0 in Hendricks' last 4 starts with 4 days of rest.
Cubs are 11-0 in Hendricks' last 11 starts on grass.
Cubs are 11-1 in Hendricks' last 12 starts.
Cubs are 9-1 in Hendricks' last 10 starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Cubs are 7-1 in Hendricks' last 8 starts as an underdog.
Cubs are 6-1 in Hendricks' last 7 road starts.
Cubs are 4-1 in Hendricks' last 5 road starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Cubs are 4-1 in Hendricks' last 5 starts as a road underdog.
Pirates are 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Pirates are 6-2 in their last 8 during game 4 of a series.
Pirates are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. National League Central.
Pirates are 10-4 in their last 14 Thursday games.
Pirates are 36-15 in their last 51 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Pirates are 36-15 in their last 51 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Pirates are 21-9 in their last 30 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
Pirates are 35-16 in their last 51 games as a home favorite.
Pirates are 39-18 in their last 57 games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
Pirates are 36-17 in their last 53 home games.
Pirates are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Pirates are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Pirates are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Pirates are 4-0 in Lockes last 4 starts as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
Pirates are 4-0 in Lockes last 4 starts as a favorite of -110 to -150.
Pirates are 9-1 in Lockes last 10 home starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Pirates are 9-1 in Lockes last 10 home starts.
Pirates are 6-1 in Lockes last 7 starts as a home favorite.
Pirates are 4-1 in Lockes last 5 starts as a favorite.
Pirates are 4-1 in Lockes last 5 starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Pirates are 4-1 in Lockes last 5 Thursday starts.
Pirates are 5-2 in Lockes last 7 starts vs. National League Central.
Pirates are 17-8 in Lockes last 25 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Pirates are 2-5 in Lockes last 7 starts with 4 days of rest.
Over is 13-3-1 in Cubs last 17 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
Over is 4-1 in Cubs last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Under is 7-2-1 in Cubs last 10 vs. National League Central.
Over is 3-1-2 in Cubs last 6 overall.
Over is 3-1-2 in Cubs last 6 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Over is 3-1-1 in Cubs last 5 road games.
Over is 3-1-2 in Cubs last 6 on grass.
Under is 3-1-1 in Cubs last 5 road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Under is 5-2-1 in Cubs last 8 games following a loss.
Over is 7-3 in Cubs last 10 games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Over is 14-6-1 in Cubs last 21 games as an underdog.
Over is 32-15-5 in Cubs last 52 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 4-0 in Hendricks' last 4 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 5-1 in Hendricks' last 6 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Under is 5-1 in Hendricks' last 6 starts vs. National League Central.
Over is 4-1 in Hendricks' last 5 starts as a road underdog.
Over is 4-1 in Hendricks' last 5 road starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Over is 5-2 in Hendricks' last 7 road starts.
Under is 4-1 in Pirates last 5 Thursday games.
Over is 4-1-2 in Pirates last 7 vs. National League Central.
Under is 14-4 in Pirates last 18 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
Under is 10-3-1 in Pirates last 14 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 3-1-2 in Pirates last 6 overall.
Over is 3-1-2 in Pirates last 6 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Over is 3-1-2 in Pirates last 6 games as a home favorite.
Over is 3-1-2 in Pirates last 6 on grass.
Under is 3-1-1 in Pirates last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 3-1-2 in Pirates last 6 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Over is 3-1-2 in Pirates last 6 home games.
Over is 3-1-2 in Pirates last 6 games as a favorite.
Under is 3-1-1 in Pirates last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 14-5-2 in Pirates last 21 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 8-3-1 in Pirates last 12 during game 4 of a series.
Under is 20-8 in Pirates last 28 games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
Over is 4-0 in Lockes last 4 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Over is 5-1 in Lockes last 6 starts as a favorite.
Over is 4-1 in Lockes last 5 starts as a favorite of -110 to -150.
Over is 12-3-2 in Lockes last 17 starts with 4 days of rest.
Over is 12-3-2 in Lockes last 17 starts on grass.
Over is 4-1-1 in Lockes last 6 starts as a home favorite.
Over is 12-3-2 in Lockes last 17 starts overall.
Over is 4-1 in Lockes last 5 starts vs. National League Central.
Over is 18-7-4 in Lockes last 29 starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Over is 5-2-1 in Lockes last 8 home starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Over is 5-2-1 in Lockes last 8 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 5-2-1 in Lockes last 8 home starts.
Over is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings.
Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings in Pittsburgh.
Cubs are 6-14 in the last 20 meetings in Pittsburgh.
Cubs are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings.
Pirates are 1-4 in Lockes last 5 starts vs. Cubs.
Umpire Trends - Kerwin Danley
Under is 4-0 in Danleys last 4 Thursday games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Road team is 7-1 in Danleys last 8 games behind home plate.
Under is 5-1 in Danleys last 6 Thursday games behind home plate.
Under is 4-1 in Danleys last 5 games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Under is 38-11-3 in Danleys last 52 games behind home plate.
Road team is 8-3 in Danleys last 11 games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
Under is 5-2 in Danleys last 7 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
Pirates are 0-4 in their last 4 games with Danley behind home plate.
Cubs are 0-4 in their last 4 Thursday games with Danley behind home plate.
CHICAGO CUBS
James McDonald SP Shoulder 60-day DL
BETTING TRENDS
CHICAGO CUBS
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Chi Cubs's last 21 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
Chi Cubs are 3-8 SU in their last 11 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Chi Cubs are 6-14 SU in their last 20 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 8-3 SU in their last 11 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 14-6 SU in their last 20 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
Although the club's latest comeback attempt fell short, the Chicago Cubs' dangerous new-look lineup isn't making things easy on opposing pitching staffs all the way until the final out.
Chicago, however, could be missing a key piece if its speedy leadoff man can't play in the series finale at PNC Park.
With Dexter Fowler's status uncertain, the Cubs will try to bounce back by taking three of four in this series Thursday when Jeff Locke goes after his third straight win for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chicago (8-6) has two wins when trailing entering the ninth inning this season after going 0-79 a year ago. After scoring three in the ninth in Tuesday's 9-8 victory, the Cubs nearly pulled off another late rally.
Trailing 4-1 in the eighth inning Wednesday, they scored twice after loading the bases with nobody out but failed to take the lead as Pittsburgh reliever Tony Watson got the final two outs.
Anthony Rizzo singled in the ninth inning before Watson fanned Kris Bryant to end Chicago's four-game road win streak.
"They got us," manager Joe Maddon said. "We just couldn't get a hit when we needed to. If we keep playing with that kind of intensity and effort on a nightly basis we're going to win a lot of games this year."
Bryant doubled for the fourth straight contest and reached base two more times. The third baseman is 9 for 18 with six RBIs and a .640 on-base percentage since going 0 for 4 in his debut against San Diego last Friday.
The Cubs, though, could be minus Fowler after he left Wednesday's game due to tightness in his right groin. The center fielder has scored 10 runs and stolen four bases over his last 11 games.
Pittsburgh (7-8) will try to build a safer cushion as it looks to wrap up a 6-4 homestand.
After allowing two runs over six innings in a 6-2 win at Milwaukee on April 10, Locke again baffled the Brewers on Saturday when the left-hander surrendered one run and four hits with six strikeouts over eight innings in a 6-2 home victory.
"You've just got to attack guys. Keep the ball down," Locke, who retired 23 of his last 25 batters, told MLB's official website.
Locke (2-0, 1.93 ERA) has pitched particularly well at PNC Park, going 5-2 with a 2.77 ERA in his last 11 starts while Pittsburgh has won nine of those games. He's 1-1 with a 2.95 mark in three home outings versus Chicago.
After allowing five runs over 4 1-3 innings in a 6-5 win at Colorado on April 12, Kyle Hendricks (0-0, 6.10) worked five scoreless innings after giving up a first-inning two-run home run in Saturday's 7-6 home win over San Diego.
The right-hander has gone 7-2 with a 2.88 ERA in 15 career starts, but he'll get his first look at the Pirates.
Gregory Polanco, who hit his first home run Wednesday, is 8 for 21 over his past six games. Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison have yet to get on track in this series, going 3 for 24 with seven strikeouts.
Jordy Mercer will likely be a game-time decision after missing three games with a bruised chest, while Starling Marte's status is uncertain after he was hit by a pitch on his right hand Wednesday.
Current Line at Bet DSI.com
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