CHICAGO -- At some point in the coming days, the Pirates will be mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. But they’ll still have a say in how the National League Wild Card race plays out.

The Cubs and Brewers began Friday tied for the second Wild Card spot, both sitting four games behind the NL Central-leading Cardinals. Both clubs will face the Pirates while fighting for a place in the postseason, with six of the Cubs’ final 15 games coming against Pittsburgh.

• NL Wild Card standings

The Bucs began a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field, and they’ll meet again at PNC Park from Sept. 24-26. Between those series, the Pirates will head to Miller Park to face the Brewers for three games.

Even without a chance of making the playoffs, the Pirates will still play in a handful of meaningful games during the final weeks of the season.

“They’re playing some important games right now, so they’re going to do everything they can to win. We’re definitely not coming here to roll over and hand over a win by any means,” shortstop Kevin Newman said. “We’re going to go out there and compete and do everything we can to win, too. That’s what you’re going to get late in the season when you’re competing for a spot in the playoffs. That’s a position that we hope to be in.”

Newman said he benefited from playing in similar games last September, especially down the stretch in a ballpark like Wrigley Field full of fans aware that every pitch could have postseason implications. This will be the first such experience in the Majors for a handful of rookies like Bryan Reynolds, Cole Tucker, Mitch Keller and Saturday starter James Marvel.

“You can’t get it anywhere else. This is the big leagues,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “This isn’t a Triple-A game. It’s not a playoff game in the Minor Leagues. It’s the big leagues against teams that are hunting trophies, players that are playing for things. It doesn’t get any better than this.

“Coming to Wrigley Field late in the season, to go to Milwaukee -- they’re in the hunt; they’ve responded well to some adversity -- my goodness, you can’t make this stuff up. You can’t recreate it any other shape, fashion or form. It’s the best experience going.”

Hurdle said the Pirates’ standing and opponent won’t change how he manages during games -- note the aggressive usage of closer Felipe Vazquez in San Francisco, for example -- but it does have some impact on how he constructs their lineup. Rookie Kevin Kramer made three straight starts in left field against the non-contending Giants, for instance, whereas veteran Melky Cabrera was back in right field in the series opener against the Cubs.

“Once the game starts, you manage and you play the game to win to the best of everybody’s ability,” Hurdle said.

Roster move
The Pirates added another arm to their bullpen on Friday, claiming left-hander Williams Jerez off waivers from the Giants. He is expected to join the Pirates this weekend in Chicago.

The 27-year-old spent most of the season with Triple-A Sacramento, posting a 3.86 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 47 appearances, and he allowed two runs over 6 2/3 innings in six appearances for the Giants this season.

Jerez spent Spring Training with the Angels before he was traded to the Giants on March 25 for right-hander Chris Stratton, who was also acquired by the Pirates earlier this season. The Pirates will have three lefties in their bullpen in addition to Vazquez: Francisco Liriano, Wei-Chung Wang and Jerez.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Pirates put Kyle Crick (right hand surgery) on the 60-day injured list.

Around the horn
• Center fielder Starling Marte (sprained left wrist) went through a series of tests before Friday’s game to determine his availability moving forward. Marte has been used as a pinch-runner since exiting Sunday’s game in the ninth inning, but he hasn’t been able to hit.

• Hurdle said the Pirates likely will give Reynolds a day off either this weekend at Wrigley Field or during the Mariners series at home. Despite being called up on April 20, Reynolds ranks fourth on the team in plate appearances and fifth in games played. This is also the longest season the 24-year-old rookie has ever played.

• The Pirates are continuing to evaluate rehabbing right-hander Chris Archer, who took a day off from throwing on Thursday after throwing back-to-back days in San Francisco.

• Vazquez, setup man Keone Kela and right-handers Richard Rodriguez and Yacksel Rios had the day off on Friday due to their recent workload.