PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates continue their three-game series Tuesday night at PNC Park, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. The forecast calls for 77 degrees and cloudy skies. Right-hander Braxton Ashcraft (3-2, 3.86 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs (29-25), who have lost six of their last eight games. Ashcraft will face a Pirates team (28-26) that has won four of its last five and took the series opener 2-1 on Monday. The Pirates have been installed as a -1.5 favorite, according to Interstat’s game simulator, which projects a 4-2 Pittsburgh victory. The over/under is 8. Players to watch Cubs: Right-handed reliever Ben Brown has been dominant in a multi-inning role over his last seven appearances, posting a 1.32 ERA with 20 strikeouts and two walks in 13 2/3 innings. He worked six innings in Monday’s loss, allowing one run on four hits and striking out seven. Pirates: Right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski is 3-1 with a 1.59 ERA over his last three starts. He earned the win Monday, allowing one run on five hits over five innings with two strikeouts. Mlodzinski has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last four outings. Recent history The Pirates won Monday on a walk-off, snapping a two-game skid against the Cubs this season. Pittsburgh took two of three at Wrigley Field in April, winning 4-3 and 2-0 after dropping the opener 7-6. Series outlook The Cubs have lost three straight and are in danger of falling further behind in the National League Central race. Chicago’s offense has been held to three runs or fewer in six of its last eight games. The Pirates, meanwhile, have won four of five and are seeking their first three-game winning streak of May. The series continues Wednesday and Thursday before both teams hit the road. The Cubs travel to St. Louis for three games, while the Pirates return home to host Minnesota for three.