The Chicago Cubs will welcome the All Star break as they're mired in a huge slump, losing eight of their last nine games. The Pittsburgh Pirates won the opener of a three-game set against their division rival 8-4 last night, and I think the Bucs can record another upset on Saturday.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Pirates hand the ball to Chad Kuhl (1-0, 4.09). The 23 year old will make his third appearance in the majors and the Pirates have won each of his first two starts. He limited the A's to two runs in six innings his last start and will be backed up by a red hot bullpen. The Cubs counter with Jon Lester (9-4, 2.67 ERA) who was knocked around for eight runs and nine hits in 1 1/3 innings of a 14-3 loss at Citi Field his last start. He's 3-4 with a 3.48 ERA in eight day starts this season.

2. Situational - The Pirates are 6-1 in their last seven after scoring five runs or more in their previous game and 5-1 in their last six games vs. a left-handed starter.

3. X-Factor - Cubs' catcher David Ross has been placed on the seven-day disabled list and we'll see rookie Willson Contreras behind the plate for Chicago today. Not what Lester needs to bounce back from a rocky outing.

Selection: This is a play on the Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5 (8*)