The Cubs enter their series against the Pirates with a clear September goal in front of them: catch the Phillies for the top National League Wild Card spot. Chicago is one game behind Philadelphia with 15 games remaining, which gives this weekend real weight even before the first pitch is thrown.
That is the immediate backdrop for Pirates Vs Cubs, a series that carries different stakes for both teams. The Cubs are trying to keep pressure on the Phillies, while the Pirates are attempting to chip away at a 4.5-game gap in the Wild Card race with only 15 games left.
Why this series matters
For the Cubs, every game left can change the shape of the postseason picture. The top wild card spot would matter for positioning, but Chicago cannot afford to slip while the Phillies stay ahead by a single game. A strong showing against Pittsburgh would keep the pressure on through the final stretch.
The Pirates are not in the same position, but they are playing meaningful baseball at the right time. Their recent surge has pushed them back into the conversation after they were six games under.500 twice in August. They were six games under.500 on August 13 and again on August 23, then began a run on Aug. 24 that has seen them go 11-4.
That turnaround has given Pittsburgh a legitimate late push, even if the math remains steep. The Pirates last finished over.500 on July 29, so the current run is notable precisely because it has arrived after a long stretch of inconsistency.
Pitching matchup and series schedule
Shōta Imanaga is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Friday, and he has been especially effective against Pittsburgh. In 38 career innings against the Pirates, he has allowed one run, good for a 0.24 ERA. That kind of track record gives Chicago a real advantage in the opener.
The rest of the series is lined up with more notable names. On Saturday, Paul Skenes is scheduled to start against Clay Holmes. On Sunday, Bubba Chandler is scheduled to start against Matthew Boyd. Friday’s starter for the Pirates is Wilber Dotel.
The Pirates also had a roster note earlier in the week, as Braxton Ashcraft was placed on the 15-day injured list with right arm discomfort on Thursday after Pittsburgh swept the White Sox. That makes the pitching picture even more relevant as the club tries to sustain its recent form.
What to watch next
Pittsburgh’s surge has created some optimism, but the club still faces a difficult climb. The Bucs are trying to make a late September push after spending much of the month trying to recover from two separate stretches six games below.500. As Austin Bechtold put it, the Pirates are getting hot at the right time, but the rival Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers are still waiting for them.
For Chicago, the task is simpler: stay close to the Phillies and avoid giving away ground. With 15 games left, the Cubs do not need to win the division of the moment, only the next series. Against a Pirates team that has suddenly found its rhythm, that is easier said than done.
