The Pirates come into Tuesday's double-header versus the Cubs as winners of five of their last six, and they've closed the gap in the NL Central now trailing St. Louis by just 2.5 games. I expect Pittsburgh to stay hot here in Game 1 at PNC Park, with a superior pitcher on the mound.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Pirates hand the ball to Gerrit Cole, who leads the team with 16 wins this season. He shutout St. Louis through seven frames in a 7-1 win at Busch Stadium in his last start. The right-hander is 8-3 with a 2.76 ERA in 13 starts at home this season. The Cubs counter with Jason Hammel, who was hit hard in his last trip to Pittsburgh. The 33 year old gave up four runs on six hits in five frames in a loss to the Pirates at PNC Park earlier this season.

2. Home Cookin' - The Pirates boast a home record of 49-22, and they've won 21 of Cole's last 26 home starts. They are 16-7 in their last 23 home games versus Chicago.

3. X-Factor - The Pirates are 37-16 in their last 53 games vs. a right-handed starter.


Selection: This is a play on the Pittsburgh Pirates (7*)