On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Pirates series preview

The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates are set to clash in a pivotal four-game series at PNC Park, with both teams looking to break out of recent slumps. The Cubs arrive in Pittsburgh reeling from an eight-game losing streak, a skid they desperately need to snap. Meanwhile, the Pirates have dropped six of their last nine contests, creating an urgent scenario for both divisional rivals. This series marks the first time this season the two teams will meet in Pittsburgh, promising intense matchups as they battle for positioning in the NL Central.

The Pirates enter this series having recently found a minor spark, bouncing back to win two games against the St. Louis Cardinals after a four-game losing streak. They followed that up by taking one of three against Toronto over the weekend, highlighted by Mitch Keller's solid outing. Pittsburgh has already had some success against Chicago this season, winning their first series 2-1 at Wrigley Field in April. Those games were tightly contested, with the largest deficit being just two runs, indicating that these teams are often evenly matched.

Historically, this rivalry has seen the Cubs enjoy significant road success against the Pirates. A sweep of this four-game set would push Chicago's regular-season victory total at Pittsburgh to an impressive 600 since the rivalry began in 1887. The Cubs have been particularly dominant in recent years, holding a 27-9 record in all games at Pittsburgh since 2021. However, the Pirates did snap a 2025 streak of not scoring more than four runs against Chicago with a 7-6 victory this season, and are eager to reverse their home struggles against their fierce rival.

The pitching matchups are set to be compelling. For Monday's opener, the Cubs will send Ben Brown (1-2, 2.09 ERA) to the mound against the Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski (4-3, 3.96 ERA). Tuesday's game will feature a TBD starter for the Cubs, likely Jordan Wicks who was recalled recently due to Edward Cabrera's IL stint, facing off against Braxton Ashcraft (3-2, 2.89 ERA) for Pittsburgh. Wednesday sees Jameson Taillon (2-4, 5.20 ERA) taking on Bubba Chandler (1-6, 4.79 ERA), and the series finale on Thursday will pit Colin Rea (4-3, 4.83 ERA) against the Pirates' formidable Paul Skenes (6-4, 3.00 ERA).

Fans can catch all the action on Marquee Sports Network. Monday's game is scheduled for an afternoon start at 12:35 p.m. CT, a shift from its original night slot at the request of Pirates season-ticket holders. The remaining games on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are all slated for 5:40 p.m. CT starts, ensuring prime-time viewing for the bulk of this crucial divisional series.

Given the pitching matchups and the Cubs' current struggles, the article's prediction suggests Chicago will be content to simply split the four-game series. Both teams are desperate for wins, and this series could be a turning point for either club. Following this showdown, the Cubs will head to St. Louis for another three-game divisional series against the Cardinals beginning Friday evening.

And now, a word from the booth:

Folks, you can feel the tension in the air. Eight straight losses for the Cubs, six of nine for the Pirates—something's absolutely got to give in this steel town. These aren't just games; these are battles for momentum, and when these two step on the field, you know it's going to be appointment viewing.

Source: Original Article