The set-up: The Cubs have made the biggest move in the NL Central (now lead by 2 1/2 games) but the Pirates also made an initial surge after the break, reaching 49-48 on July 21. However, Pittsburgh has lost six of eight since, as it begins an eight-game homestand with the opener of a three-game series versus the Cincinnati Reds. The Pirates are currently 5 1/2 games behind first-place Chicago in the NL Central, while the cellar-dwelling Reds did snap a six-game skid with a 6-4 victory over Miami on Sunday. However, it marked just the team's third win in 17 outings (Cincy sits 42-63, 14 1/2 games back of the Cubs).

The pitching matchup: Homer Bailey (2-5 & 8.37) gets the nod for the Reds and Jameson Taillon (6-4 & 4.03 ERA) for the Pirates. Bailey comes in off three straight losses (8.47 ERA) but is it possible that PNC Park could be an 'elixir?' Bailey has posted a 5-2 mark with a 2.58 ERA in nine career starts in Pittsburgh, including a no-hitter on Sept. 28, 2012. Taillon is coming off the worst start of his career on Tuesday, surrendering 10 runs on nine hits in three innings of an 11-3 shellacking at San Francisco. He's faced the Reds four times in his career, going 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA (team is 2-2).

The pick: Baily looks like a mess with an 8.37 ERA, 2.01 WHIP and .366 BAA in his seven starts this year. Meanwhile, while Taillon is off an awful start, he had allowed just eight runs over 27 2/3 innings of his previous five starts (2.60 ERA). Make Pittsburgh an 8* play.