CHICAGO CUBS AT PITTSBURGH PIRATES PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates meet Wednesday night at PNC Park with the visiting Cubs aiming to halt a seven-game losing streak that has dropped them a half-game ahead of their hosts in the standings. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EDT with a forecast of 80 degrees and rain. Right-hander Jameson Taillon (2-4) is the scheduled starter for the Cubs, who enter at 29-25. The Pirates, 28-26, counter with a starter to be announced. Taillon will look to reverse the Cubs’ recent slide after Chicago lost 10-1 to Pittsburgh on Tuesday, following a 2-1 loss Monday. The Cubs’ last win came May 15 at the Chicago White Sox. Cubs reliever Ben Brown has been a bright spot. The right-hander worked six scoreless innings of four-hit ball with seven strikeouts in Monday’s loss and has allowed one earned run over his past 10 2/3 innings across four appearances. Pirates right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski has been equally effective. He earned the win Monday with five innings of one-run ball and has a 1.80 ERA over his past three starts spanning 15 innings, striking out four while walking none across that stretch. Pittsburgh has won four of its past five games. The Pirates are 6-4 over their past 10 contests. The Cubs are 3-7 in their past 10 games. Wednesday’s game is the third of a four-game series. The teams play again Thursday before the Cubs travel to St. Louis and the Pirates host Minnesota. The Cubs are consensus betting favorites at -1.5. The over/under is 8.5 runs.