Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong proving value against Pirates

Pete Crow-Armstrong is making a strong case for National League MVP as he leads the visiting Chicago Cubs in pursuit of a series sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

The All-Star center fielder went 4-for-5 with three runs, two doubles, a home run, three RBIs and a stolen base as the Cubs rolled to an 11-0 victory on Saturday.

According to ESPN, he’s the first Cubs player to record at least 200 RBIs and 90 stolen bases before turning 25 since RBIs became an official statistic in 1920.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Crow-Armstrong, 24, has been on a tear because he has become selective at the plate.

“He’s got a lot of confidence right now,” Counsell said. “(He) can be on go and say no… I think there were points last year where he was on go and it didn’t matter where the pitch was. That’s the difference and that makes (him) the right kind of aggressive.”

Jameson Taillon (2-5, 5.38 ERA) is scheduled to start for Chicago. In his last outing, he received a no-decision after allowing four runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings in an 8-6, 10-inning home loss to the Detroit Tigers.

It was his first appearance since suffering a left hamstring strain on June 7 that landed him on the 15-day injured list. The same problems that plagued Taillon all season resurfaced.

The right-hander gave up back-to-back home runs and left Chicago in a 4-0, first-inning hole. Even after missing time on the IL, he is tied for fourth in the majors with 22 home runs allowed.

Taillon has nine career starts against Pittsburgh and is 4-2 with a 4.58 ERA. In 53 innings, he has struck out 43 and walked 13.

“I’ll keep working behind the scenes to try and figure out the homer thing,” Taillon said. “It feels like that is the snakebite for me. It’s not like I am giving up a ton of hits in a row. It’s the untimely homer.”

The Pirates, meanwhile, are looking for a stronger effort from scheduled starter Braxton Ashcraft (9-4, 3.95 ERA), who struggled in his most recent appearance.

The right-hander allowed eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits while walking one and striking out two in an 8-5 loss at the New York Yankees.

Despite going 4-1 with a no-decision over his last six starts, Ashcraft believes he can pitch better.

He has fared well against the Cubs, posting a 1-1 record with a 2.42 ERA, 24 strikeouts and four walks over 22 1/3 innings in five career starts.

He earned a home victory over Chicago on May 26, allowing one run on seven hits while walking one and striking out five in 6 1/3 innings of a 12-1 Pirates victory.

“It goes back to execution,” Ashcraft said. “Being able to execute with two strikes. Being able to execute with runners in scoring position. That’s how you limit runs, and I’ve done a bad job of that probably the last five starts.”

Pirates manager Don Kelly said his club can avoid a sweep and snap a three-game losing streak.

“We need to find a way,” Kelly said. “We’ve shown the ability this year to bounce back and be resilient.”

–Field Level Media