Jameson Taillon is set to face his original team when the Chicago Cubs right-hander takes the mound in the finale of a four-game series against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. The Cubs are seeking a series split after winning 1-0 in dramatic fashion on Saturday. Cody Bellinger narrowly scored from second base on Christopher Morel's one-out single in the ninth inning for Chicago's second walk-off victory this season.
The Cubs received another stellar outing from Shota Imanaga, who struck out seven batters over seven sharp innings. Imanaga's 0.84 ERA is the lowest in a pitcher's first nine career starts in major league history.
"We're fortunate to watch it," Chicago manager Craig Counsell said. "It's been so much fun to watch. Just his aptitude out there, his pitch-making ability, his stuff, his competitiveness, they've all been just a joy to watch.
" Counsell is hoping for a similar outing from Taillon (3-1, 1.61 ERA), who won 29 games with the Pirates over four seasons from 2016-19. The 32-year-old Taillon yielded seven runs (two earned) on seven hits over four innings in a 7-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday.
Taillon has given up only seven extra-base hits in five starts this season, but four of them have been home runs. Michael A. Taylor has one hit in 15 at-bats against Taillon, who is 1-1 with a 6.
35 ERA in two career starts against his former team. Pittsburgh will turn to right-hander Mitch Keller (4-3, 3.93), who followed up his second career complete ga.
