Cubs vs Pirates — The Chicago Cubs have lost three series in a row and are now eight games out of first place. Now, they do have a five-game series against the Brewers next week, but if that’s going to be remotely consequential, they’ll have to win big this weekend. Because you know Milwaukee will.
On the bright side, the Cubs are coming back home to face a last-place Pirates team and should miss Paul Skenes (it’s possible he’ll go on Sunday, but it’s looking like Andrew Heaney instead).
Also good news? Today’s starter, Colin Rea, has faced the Pirates twice this season, both times allowing just two earned runs over 6.0 innings of work. That will play (… if the Cubs offense can score more than two runs).
Likewise, tomorrow’s starter, Shota Imanaga, seems to be on a nice roll here lately, and he kept the Pirates scoreless in his start against them earlier this season.
Javier Assad, then, is set to make his second start post-IL on Sunday. And I think he looked a bit better than his results against the Blue Jays this week (especially considering how good that offense has been all season).
Plus, for what it’s worth, the Pirates have been the second-worst offense in MLB this season (81 wRC+), and the third-worst vs right-handed pitching (83 wRC+).
But maybe I just spent too much time on the pitching matchups. After all, that hasn’t been the problem for a while.
We all know the bigger issue is the Cubs offense, which has been nothing short of lifeless. Everyone besides Matt Shaw (and a few Michael Busch homers) has been horrendous, and somehow even worse whenever they do get something rolling.
The Cubs had runners on 2nd and 3rd in the 8th with nobody out, trailing by a run.They did not score. pic.twitter.com/g0Zpcygitf
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) August 14, 2025And while each of the three probable Pirates pitchers have had some success this season, including against the Cubs, there’s nothing dominant enough about any of them to act as an excuse. In other words, if you get Paul Skenes, okay, sure. A bad offensive day is understandable. But against this trio? At home? When you need it this bad? Nah, you just gotta perform. Let’s see if they can.
Cubs vs Pirates – Pitching Probables:
Game 1: Friday, August 15 at 1:20 PM CT at Wrigley FieldBroadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, MLBN, 670 The Score
Cubs: Colin Rea, RHP Pirates: Braxton Ashcraft, RHPGame 2: Saturday, August 16 at 1:20 CT at Wrigley FieldBroadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, FS1, 670 The Score
Cubs: Shota Imanaga, LHP Pirates: Mike Burrows, RHPGame 3: Sunday, August 17 at 1:20 pm CT at Wrigley FieldBroadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score
Cubs: Javier Assad, RHP Pirates: TBA (Probably Andrew Heaney, LHP)Cubs vs Pirates – Key Injuries:
Chicago Cubs:
Jameson Taillon, SP Michael Soroka, SP Eli Morgan, RP Justin Steele, SP Miguel Amaya, CPittsburgh Pirates:
Oneil Cruz, OF Tim Mayza, RP Justin Lawrence, RP Enmaunel Valdez, IF Jared Jones< SP Endy Rodriguez, C/1B © Patrick Gorski-Imagn ImagesHence then, the article about cubs vs pirates series preview back to wrigley for a big homestand was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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