The set-up: The Cubs have lost two in a row, but they have four straight winnable contests here vs. the Pirates and I think they most of it. Especially considering they have a tough three game series at the White Sox to end the regular season. The Cubs actually still have an opportunity to lock down the No. 2 spot in the entire National League as they're in a race with the Braves right now.

The pick: Jon Lester is having an overall poor campaign, but he's throwing his best of the year at this very moment, off back-to-back strong outings in which he's allowed two runs over 11 innings of work. He's had plenty of success vs. the Pirates throughout his career and I think he'll get the better of JT Brubaker. Brubaker faced the Cubs earlier in the season and had success, but regression seems imminent the second time around. I'm banking on a blowout from start to finish.

This is a 10* RUN-LINE PLAY OF THE WEEK on the Chicago Cubs.