They’re Just Not Doing Enough – Cubs vs Pirates Series Preview

Michael Cerami Michael Cerami
Aug 26, 2024
Aug 26, 2024

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CUBS VS PIRATES — With nine straight games coming up against the Pirates and Nationals (plus ten more against the Rockies, A’s, and Nationals after that), the Chicago Cubs still have the weakest remaining schedule in the National League. But … they’re not really doing anything with it.

Sure, they’ve won three straight series and six series in their last seven tries. But where has that gotten them? They briefly touched .500 (which is nice, but a totally arbitrary target) without improving their playoff odds, all while weakening their draft position for 2025.

NL Wild Card Standings:

  1. D-Backs: 75-56
  2. Padres: 74-81
  3. Braves: 70-60 —–
  4. Mets: 68-63 (2.5 GB)
  5. Giants: 66-66 (5.0 GB)
  6. Cardinals: 65-65 (5.0 GB)
  7. Cubs: 65-66 (5.5 GB)
  8. Reds: 63-68 (7.5 GB)
  9. Pirates: 62-68 (8.0 GB)

It’s been good to see young players break out (PCA and Miguel Amaya) and the bullpen settle in, but it’s all just an empty nod to what could maybe-possibly-hopefully, be next year. It’s just not enough.

Okay, let’s talk some specifics.

  • It’s way past time for Isaac Paredes to wake up. He was supposed to have the day off yesterday, but Patrick Wisdom was tossed for arguing balls and strikes. So Paredes wound up coming in for two plate appearances, walking twice. He’s got a 42 wRC+ in his 92 plate appearances with the Cubs, and is just barely above average since May 1 (105 wRC+).

  • Seiya Suzuki went 0-4 with a strikeout on Sunday, but he was on a bona fide tear before that, with eight hits (4 xBHs) in the four games prior. Since July 9, Suzuki is slashing .289/.363/.520 (143 wRC+).

  • Jameson Taillon is riding the struggle bus, with a 6.84 ERA in his five starts since July 29 (the day before the deadline). And with the exception of the Guardians, it’s not like he’s faced good teams: Reds, Cardinals, White Sox, Tigers.

  • Ian Happ since July 3: .248/.335/.533/140 wRC+ with 12 homers.

  • PCA since July 27: .294/.341/.565 (147 wRC+) over 93 plate appearances. Best part? He’s got a 14% strikeout rate over that stretch.

    • The Cubs have Justin Steele going in this series, which is nice, but Mitch Keller is good and pitching tonight. Plus, they’ll get Paul Skenes for the THIRD TIME on Wednesday.

    Yeah, the Cubs got to him just fine in his debut, but in his very next start against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Skenes struck out 11, walked one, and allowed no hits through 6.0 innings. So … yeah. He’s been on an incredible run this year, with 130 strikeouts in 104.0 IP. If the Cubs don’t win tonight and tomorrow, I don’t think they’ll win this series.

    Cubs vs Pirates – Pitching Probables:

    Game 1: Cubs vs Pirates – Monday, August 26 at 5:40 pm CT at PNC Park
    Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

  • Cubs: Jameson Taillon, RHP
  • Pirates: Mitch Keller, RHP

    • Game 2: Cubs vs Pirates – Tuesday, August 27 at 5:40 CT at PNC Park
    Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

  • Cubs: Justin Steele, LHP
  • Pirates: TBD

    • Game 3: Cubs vs Pirates – Wednesday, August 28 at 11:35 CT at PNC Park
    Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, MLBN, 670 The Score

  • Cubs: Kyle Hendricks, RHP
  • Pirates: Paul Skenes, RHP

    • Cubs vs Pirates – Key Injuries:

    :

  • Tomás Nido, C
  • Hayden Wesneski, SP
  • Ben Brown, RP
  • Jordan Wicks, SP
  • Colten Brewer, RP
  • Yency Almonte, RP
  • Luke Little, RP
  • Adbert Alzolay, RP

    • :

  • Nick Gonzales, 2B
  • Andrew McCutchen, DH
  • Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B
  • Jared Jones, SP
  • Carmen Mlodzinkski, RP
  • Colin Holderman, RP
  • Johan Oviedo, SP
  • Endy Rodriguez, C
  • Dauri Moreta, SP
  • Ryan Borucki, RP
  • Daulton Jefferies, RP
  • Marco Gonzales, SP
  • Hunter Stratton, RP

    • Cubs vs Pirates series preview
    (Open use, via Pixabay)

    written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a 🎉part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show You can find him on Twitter/X

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