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PITTSBURGH -- Neal Huntington was asked on his weekly radio show Sunday whether the Pittsburgh Pirates might want to scale their hopes back this season from making the playoffs to simply finishing with a winning record.The teams general manager hedged big-time, declining to buy into such a change in scope, although he did begin to talk about the offseason in a way that suggested the Pirates might not be able to claw their way into a National League wild-card spot.Realistically, finishing over .500 is probably the better target, but hardly an easy one, especially considering that the Chicago Cubs come to PNC Park to start a four-game series Monday, followed by a trip by Pittsburgh to St. Louis next weekend to close the regular season.Pittsburgh has lost two games in a row to sit one game under .500 at 77-78. It is 4 1/2 games out of the second NL wild-card playoff spot, same as Miami, and would also have to pass St. Louis, with just those seven games remaining.Chicago, of course, leads the major leagues with 99 wins after a 3-1 victory over St. Louis Sunday night. The Cubs have won five of their past six and -- in case the Pirates have their eyes on pulling off a sweep to bolster their dwindling playoff hopes -- they have not lost more than two games in a row since early July.In addition, Pittsburgh is a disappointing 37-40 at PNC Park -- Wed like to get back to being dominant at home, Huntington said -- while the Cubs are 43-32 on the road.The Cubs are scheduled to start Kyle Hendricks (15-8, 2.06 ERA) in Mondays series opener. He leads the major leagues in ERA and is 11-2 with a 1.37 ERA over his past 17 outings, including 16 starts. He has beaten Pittsburgh twice this season, allowing one earned run in 13 innings, with both games coming at Wrigley Field.Teammate Jon Lester, who started the Cubs game Sunday, told the Chicago Tribune last week that Hendricks should win the NL Cy Young Award.If I had a vote, (Hendricks) would be my vote, Lester told the Tribune. I get to see him every day. I see what he does, how he goes about it, how he prepares, how he goes out and executes. Hes my guy. Hes who Id vote for right now, tomorrow, the next day, whenever.After Hendricks, it doesnt get any easier for Pittsburgh. The projected Cubs starters the remainder of the series are John Lackey (10-8), Jake Arrieta (18-7) and rookie Rob Zastryzny (1-0).The Pirates are expected to give rookie Chad Kuhl (5-3, 3.73 ERA) the start Monday. He has won his past two starts, allowing a total of three earned runs while pitching six innings in each of the two wins.Pittsburgh has won nine of the 12 games he has started.He, like so many pitchers, has struggled against the Cubs, going 0-1 in two starts with an 8.59 ERA. One of those losses was a 3-0 game against Hendricks Aug. 30.Pittsburghs probable starters the rest of the series are Ryan Vogelsong (3-6), rookie Jameson Taillon (4-4) and Ivan Nova (12-8). Custom Boston Red Sox Jerseys . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. Sandy Leon Red Sox Jersey . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. https://www.cheapredsox.com/2911z-carl-yastrzemski-jersey-red-sox.html . 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Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has paid Matthew Dellavedova a stunning compliment, describing the Australian point guard as the best teammate he has played with in the NBA.Antetokounmpo also showered praise on the skills, work ethic and size possessed by the Bucks other Australian, 216cm tall teenager Thon Maker.The Bucks, led by Antetokounmpo who just signed a four-year $US100 million ($A133m) contract extension with the team, are hoping to end 14 years of mediocrity this season and become a force in the NBAs Eastern Conference.Matthew is the best teammate I have ever played with in these four years, 21-year-old Greece-born Antetokounmpo, playing his fourth NBA season, told reporters in a conference call on Monday.The 211cm nicknamed the Greek Freak has quickly built a formidable chemistry with Dellavedova, bamboozling defences with pick and rolls.Dellavedova had a similar rapport in recent seasons with LeBron James on thhe NBA championship-winning Cleveland Cavaliers.ddddddddddddThe Bucks signed Dellavedova in the off-season on a four-year $US38.5 million ($A51m) deal.Everything he does he wants to get it right, Antetokounmpo said of Dellavedova.Antetokounmpo says he sees a lot of himself in 19-year-old rookie Maker, with both players possessing the height of centres and the skills of guards.I try to help Thon a lot off the court and on the court, Antetokounmpo said.He asked What did you do when you came into the league? I told him you have to spend as much time as you can in the gym because the way you are built and your skill set is unbelievable.I think hes going to be a great player and his mindset right now is unbelievable because he is always in the gym.He has great work ethic so for him I think the sky is the limit. ' ' '