The Chicago Cubs enter Friday as owners of the wild cards in the National League, despite dropping five of their last six games. They must like their chances of finally hitting a winning streak here against the Pittsburgh Pirates who are firmly in last in the NL Central and second to last in the NL.

Cubs' righty Kyle Hendricks (8-9, 3.48 ERA) gave up seven runs on a career-high 12 hits in a 10-1 Cubs loss Saturday at Cincinnati, but he had posted a 2.35 ERA over a dominant seven-game stretch prior to that outing. He is 4-6 with a 3.25 ERA in 14 career starts against the Pirates who counter with right-hander Joe Musgrove (8-11, 4.71 ERA) who is 2-4 with a 6.53 ERA since the All-Star.

Pirates are 5-21 in their last 26 overall. Cubs are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.

8* play on Chicago Cubs.