It’s About to Get Tough Again — Cubs vs Pirates Series Preview

Michael Cerami Michael Cerami
Sep 02, 2024
Sep 02, 2024

Bleacher Nation Drinks : Raise a glass with us! Join the community celebrating timeless traditions and refreshing flavors. Cheers to great times and beer!

CUBS VS PIRATES — It’s just insane how many times the Cubs have had to face Jared Jones and Paul Skenes this year. After drawing each starter AGAIN this week, one of those two pitchers will have been on the mound in 8 of the 13 Cubs-Pirates matchups on the year. And that’s with Jones missing nearly two full months of the season. But, hey, the Cubs won both games they started last week. They’ll just have to do it again. But maybe get to them before going down 10-3 this time. Just a thought.

At least the offense has been really rocking.

If the Cubs’ offensive onslaught is going to continue this week against the Pirates, perhaps Isaac Paredes can be a part of it. He’s started to turn things around here lately, with a 120 wRC+ over his last 49 games. The power remains elusive, but he’s not striking out as much and he’s taking his walks. He’s also got a four-game hitting streak, during which he’s been on base at least 2x in each game.

After a four-hit game against the Nationals, Danbsy Swanson is up to a 91 wRC+ on the year with 3.0 WAR. He’s really turned his season around offensively.

Pete Crow-Armstrong since July 27: .330/.378/.550 (154 wRC+) with♚ six doubles, three triples, four homers, and eight stolen b𓄧ases in 121 plate appearances. Oh, and only a 14.9% strikeout rate with excellent contact quality. Lol. Dude is locked in.

The Cubs’ “weak” schedule stretch is just about over. Not only do they have Skenes and Jones this week, but they’ll also welcome the first-place Yankees (79-58) to Wrigley Field over the weekend followed by three games against the first-place Dodgers (82-55) in L.A.

Cubs vs Pirates – Pitching Probables:

Game 1: Cubs vs Pirates – Monday, September 2 at 6:40 pm CT at Wrigley Field
Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

  • Cubs: Jared Jones, RHP
  • Pirates: Jameson Taillon, RHP

    • Game 2: Cubs vs Pirates – Tuesday, September 3 at 6:40 CT at Wrigley Field
    Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

  • Cubs: Justin Steele, LHP
  • Pirates: Paul Skenes, RHP

    • Game 3: Cubs vs Pirates – Wednesday, September 4 at 6:40 CT at PNC Park
    Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

  • Cubs: Shota Imanaga, LHP
  • Pirates: TBD

    • Cubs vs Pirates – Key Injuries:

    :

  • Hayden Wesneski, SP
  • Julian Merryweather, RP
  • Nick Madrigal, IF
  • Ben Brown, RP
  • Colten Brewer, RP
  • Yency Almonte, RP
  • Luke Little, RP
  • Adbert Alzolay, RP

    • :

  • Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B
  • Joey Bart, C
  • Ben Heller, RP
  • Johan Oviedo, SP
  • Endy Rodriguez, C
  • Dauri Moreta, SP
  • Daulton Jefferies, RP
  • Hunter Stratton, RP
  • Marco Gonzales, SP

    • Cubs vs Pirates series preview
    © David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

    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 Ch꧑icago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Mich▨ael 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

    more cubs news

    Julio Rodriguez Made One of the Most Bizarre Baserunning Blunders You’ll Ever See

    I have seen people referencing this as one of the worst baserunning mi🐽stakes ever, but that strikes me as a little harsh, given the circumstances. I'll grant, though, that I've never seen one qꩵuite like it. Most bizarre? Yeah, I'll...

    Brett Taylor Brett Taylor
    Sep 19, 2024

    Painful Credit to the Brewers, ꦗSteele F♌elt Good, Kimbrel Bounced, and Other Cubs Bullets

    The Milwaukee Brewers officially clinched the NL Central with yesterday's Cౠubs loss. It's been all but accomplished for months now, and I will grit my teeth to dust conceding that what they accomplished this year - despite all the injuries,...

    Brett Taylor Brett Taylor
    Sep 19, 2024

    Enhanced Box Score: A’s 5, Cubs 3 – September 18, 2024

    If I needed confirmed for me that, in my heart, I know the season is over, today did it: 💧I felt completely emotionless about the Cubs blowing their lead. I was just shrugging as I watched. So I guess, yeah,...

    Brett Taylor Brett Taylor
    Sep 18, 2024

    Cubs Roster Move💎s: Steele and Lopez In, Neely and Palencia Out

    Being that he's starti🐻ng this afternoon for the ꦅChicago Cubs, we knew Justin Steele (elbow) would be activated from the Injured List today. But he's not alone, as reliever Jorge Lopez, who'd been rehabbing at Iowa, has also been activated...

    Brett Taylor Brett Taylor
    Sep 18, 2024

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: The Rubber Match at Wrigley

    CUBS LINEUP — Despite Ian Happ's record-setting ninth-inning homer off Mason Miller last night, the Chicago Cubs could not complete their comeback. That makes today's game a rubber match. Here's a look at♒ the Chicago Cubs lineup for the finale...

    Michael Cerami Michael Cerami
    Sep 18, 2024

    Hayden Wesn♐eski is Reportedly at Wriglꦓey Field Today

    The Cubs🧸 have another arm at the ballpark today, and we'll see if he's being activ๊ated. //twitter.com/ryan_a_herrera/status/1836427502366916741 With Iowa, Wesneski put up good numbers, but that was generally expected. He's demonstrated he can cruise at that level at this point....

    Brett Taylor Brett Taylor
    Sep 18, 2024

    Tennes𝓰see Takes a 1-0 Series L♕ead Behind Brilliant Antonio Santos Outing

    Thanks to the season-long constant flurry of minor league pitching additions, I wouldn't blame anyone who doesn't remember the Cubs signing big righty Antonio Santos earlier this year. The Cubs nabbed Santos out of the Mexican Leagu♕e, where he'd been...

    Brett Taylor Brett Taylor
    Sep 18, 2024

    Wi꧃th Two Record-Setting HRs Last Nig🍌ht, Ian Happ Has Locked In His Career-Best Season

    After Ian Happꦰ hit his first of two homers last night - his 24𓆏th of the season - the Cubs broadcast booth pointed out the surprising fact that it had been his first longball in 21(!) games. I don't know...

    Michael Cerami Michael Cerami
    Sep 18, 2024

    Hoerner’s Success, Hard Contact, Palencia Dominates, Caissie’s Catch, and Other Cubs Bullets

    I have reached the age where, if you notice something weird or concerning on or ♛in your body, you pretty much leap to get it checked out by a doctor. ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚI would say here that I have some weird thing...

    Brett Taylor Brett Taylor
    Sep 18, 2024

    Jose Altuve Took Out His Foot, Got Ejected

    There are so many joking angles to take on this one, but I'm not sure which of them would get me into trouble. So I'll just stick to the facts on something I've certainly never seen happen before. Houston Ast✅ros...

    Brett Taylor Brett Taylor
    Sep 18, 2024

    Latest News

    Julio Rodriguez Made One of the Most Bizarre Baserunning Blunders You’ll Ever See

    I have seen people referencing this as one of the 𓂃worst baserunning mistakes ever, but that strikes me as a little harsh, given the circumstances. I'll grant, though, that I've never seen one quite like it. Most bizarre? Yeah, I'll...

    Brett Taylor Brett Taylor
    Sep 19, 2024

    Astros vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – Sept. 19

    The Los Angeles Angels (62-90) begin a four-game series against the Houston Astros (82-70) with a Thursday meeting at Minute Maid Park. First pitch is at 8:10 p.m. ET.This contest's pitching mat𝓀chup is set, as the Astros will send Yusei...

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    Sep 19, 2024

    Cubs vs. Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers – Sept. 19

    The Chicago Cubs (77-75) host thꦑe Washington Nationals (68-84) on Thursday to kick off a four-ga♕me series at Wrigley Field. The contest starts at 7:40 p.m. ET.The Cubs will give the nod to Javier Assad (7-5, 3.27 ERA), who is...

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    Sep 19, 2024

    Billings is a Baller, DJ’s Regret, CJ Sounds Off, Trench Concerns, and Other Bears Bullets

    Maybe it's because the Bears ended late on Sunday, but this week 🦂feels like it has flown by. I'm not൩ sure where to start this set of Bears Bullets, so let's begin by celebrating Dan Hampton's 67th birthday by sharing...

    Luis C. Medina Luis C. Medina
    Sep 19, 2024

    Cardinals vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, September 19, 2024

    The St. Louis Cardinals (77-75) hope to complete a🌜 four-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates (71-81) when the teams meet at 7:15 p.m. ET Thursday. The Cardinals are -137 favorites to keep the Pirates out of the win column in...

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    Sep 19, 2024

    Diamondbacks vs. Brewers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, September 19, 2024

    Following a two-homer game in a win over the Rockies, Corbin Carroll leads the Arizona Diamondbacks (84-68) into action as -11꧃6 favorites against the Milwaukee Brewers (88-64). First pitch from American Family Field at 7:15 p.m. ET on Thur﷽sday, live...

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    Sep 19, 2024

    Rays vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, September 19, 2024

    The Boston Red Sox (76-76) serve as underdogs on the moneyline (-1🤪07) in Thursday's contest against the Tampa Bay Rays (74-78). The game starts at 6:50 p.m. ET on BSSUN. The Red Sox are favored against the spread in this...

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    Sep 19, 2024

    Mets vs. Phillies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, September 19, 2024

    The New York Mets (84-68), led by Luisangel Acuna on a two-game home ⭕run streak, are -134 favorites on the moneyline to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies (91-61). First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. ET Thursday, live from Citi Field...

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    Sep 19, 2024

    Mets vs. Phillies Probable Starting Pitchers – Sept. 19

    The New York Mets (84-68) host the Philadelphia Phillies (91-61) on Thursday to kick off a four-game series at Citi Field. The contest starts at 7:15 p.m. ET.The probable pitchers are Luis Severino (10-6) for the Mets and T🔥aijuan Walker...

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    Sep 19, 2024

    Rays vs. Red Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – Sept. 19

    The Boston Red Sox (76-76) visit tꦯhe Tampa Bay Rays (74-78) for a road game in St. Petersburg on Thurs🔯day. The game starts at 6:50 p.m. ET.The Rays will give the nod to Zack Littell (7-9, 3.73 ERA), who is...

    Data Skrive Data Skrive
    Sep 19, 2024

    more cubs news