Pirates vs Cubs predictions
All eyes will be on Paul Skenes as he takes the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and honestly, he’s been showing the kind of promise that gets fans buzzing. I’m expecting Skenes to keep things tight through about five or six innings, probably racking up a handful of strikeouts while limiting the Cubs’ heavy hitters. When it comes to the bats, Oneil Cruz is always a threat for a big swing, so don’t be surprised if he sneaks in an extra-base hit and maybe drives home a run. Veteran Andrew McCutchen’s been steady all summer, and I see him finding his way on base a couple of times, maybe knocking in a run, while Bryan Reynolds could make his presence felt with a couple of solid at-bats and a potential RBI. The Pirates haven’t exactly set the league on fire offensively, but this trio keeps things interesting.
Swinging over to the home dugout, the Chicago Cubs come in riding a hot streak at Wrigley Field and, frankly, their lineup looks locked in. Keep your eyes on Pete Crow-Armstrong—I’m calling at least one big fly or a couple of extra-base hits from him, and his speed on the bases should give the Pirates’ defense plenty to worry about. Nico Hoerner has been a hitting machine, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he puts together a multi-hit game, maybe even swiping a bag. Seiya Suzuki has quietly been stacking up RBIs, and with the table setters ahead of him, he’s perfectly positioned for another clutch night. And of course, Cade Horton has the goods to keep the Pirates in check, probably pitching into the sixth and piling up strikeouts along the way.
So, with all the pieces in play, this matchup feels like it tips in favor of the Cubs, especially considering their home dominance and the juice in their lineup right now. The Pirates have flashes, and Skenes will keep it close, but Chicago just has too many ways to beat you. If you’re picking a winner at Wrigley, I like the Cubs to extend their streak and keep the NL Central lead safely in hand. Hey, that’s baseball—momentum is everything, and right now, the Cubs have it.
