Pirates' Bubba Chandler aims to stop slide vs. reeling Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of their longest losing streak in nearly four years. Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler has lost his past four decisions.

Chandler (1-6, 4.79 ERA) opposes fellow right-hander Jameson Taillon (2-4, 5.20) as the latter faces the team with which he started his career on Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh is 4-1 against the Cubs so far this season after going 3-10 against them last season.

The Cubs, who have lost 10 in a row, are trying to avoid their first losing streak of 11 or more games since Aug. 5-16, 2021.

Chandler's 17th start of his young career and 10th of this season arguably was his best, as he recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts in a 6-2 Pirates defeat at Toronto last Friday.

Chandler threw 99 pitches over five innings as he walked three and allowed three unearned runs on two hits. He used a changeup-slider-curveball mix, and touched 99.3 mph on his fastball, attacking the zone much more effectively.

In his prior outing against the Phillies, Chandler allowed five runs (four earned) in three innings in a 6-0 setback.

If Chandler can build off the success of last Friday's start and develop more consistency, it would add even more depth to a Pirates rotation, which has seen Braxton Ashcraft excel this season in the No. 3 spot behind ace Paul Skenes and veteran Mitch Keller.

Chandler left with a no-decision in his lone career appearance against the Cubs on April 12. He allowed three runs on five hits -- including two home runs -- walked two and struck out four over 5 1/3 innings.

"I think each outing has gotten better," Chandler said. "It's learning, but I think it's my job to go out there and compose myself, and go out there and get through a lineup three, four times."

Per the Elias Sports Bureau, the Cubs joined the 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers as the only teams in MLB history to have two 10-game winning streaks and a 10-game losing streak in the same season.

Taillon is in the midst of his own rough stretch as he prepares to pitch against the team with which he played during his first four seasons in the majors. He has allowed 12 runs and 16 hits -- including six homers -- in his past two starts over 9 2/3 innings.

Most alarming is Taillon's 17 home runs allowed lead the majors.

In his most recent outing last Friday against the Houston Astros, Taillon allowed four runs on eight hits, struck out five and walked one over 4 2/3 innings in a 4-2 loss.

"We lost, and I didn't complete five innings, so not good enough," Taillon said after his most recent start. "The game's a little hard right now for a lot of us. When the game punches you a little bit, you've got to punch back and find a way."

Taillon also last faced the Pirates on April 12 in Chicago. He allowed six runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- despite striking out 10 over six innings.

He is 4-2 with a 4.31 ERA in eight career appearances (all starts) against Pittsburgh.

--Field Level Media