The Pittsburgh Pirates are 5-1 at Wrigley Field this season, but I think they'll come up short here in the opener of a three-game series with National League Central-leading Chicago Cubs.

Trevor Williams (5-6, 4.40 ERA) takes the ball for Pittsburgh. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) against Chicago, all this season. He held the Dodgers scoreless through eight innings his last time out, despite giving up seven hits and four walks. I doubt he'll be quite as lucky tonight.

The Cubs turn to Mike Montgomery (4-6, 3.43 ERA). The 28 year old left-hander has allowed just seven hits and a pair of walks through 10 1/3 scoreless innings in his last two starts while filling in for Jon Lester in the rotation. This will mark Montgomery's first career start against Pittsburgh, but he has compiled a solid 2.70 ERA in five relief appearances agains the Bucs.

The Cubs dropped two of three against the Phillies over the weekend and lost 6-3 on Sunday. They're 22-7 in their last 29 games following a loss and 5-1 in their last six during Game 1 of a series´while the Pirates are 0-4 in their last four during Game 1 of a series.

My selection is an 8* play on Chicago Cubs.