Cubs vs Pirates 8/24/23

The Chicago Cubs will return to PNC Park on Thursday, where they will meet the Pittsburgh Pirates. Catch up with all the baseball action with our MLB previews. The Cubs have a 66-60 record which places them second in the NL Central. Chicago enters this series fresh off a 6-4 win over the Tigers on Wednesday, Jameson Taillon allowed 4 runs through his 5 innings on the mound, while Yan Gomes ended the game with 2 hits and an RBI. 

Justin Steele is set to be the starting pitcher for the Cubs on Thursday, he’s been brilliant this year with a 2.80 ERA to go along with a 14-3 starting record. The Cubs are a very solid team at the plate this season, averaging 5.0 runs per game (5th most in MLB). Cody Bellinger and Patrick Wisdom each lead the Cubs with 20 home runs, Bellinger also has a team-leading 65 RBI.

The Pittsburgh Pirates currently sit fourth in the NL Central, with a record of 57-70. The Pirates enter this series losing 6 of their last 10 games, most recently falling short 6-4 against the Cardinals on Wednesday. Luis L. Ortiz allowed 7 hits and 5 runs through just 3 innings on Wednesday, while Ke’Bryan Hayes connected on the Pirates' lone home run.

Mitch Keller will be the Pirates' starting pitcher in this game, he has a 10-8 starting record thus far. The Pirates have struggled to hit the ball this season, averaging only 7.8 hits per game (3rd lowest in MLB). Jack Suwinski leads the Pirates with 21 home runs, while Bryan Reynolds has a team-high 62 RBI.

The Cubs are hitting the ball at a tremendous rate in the month of August, and facing a weaker bullpen like Pittsburgh could only open things up even more. The Pirates are desperate to get some hitting throughout their lineup, it seems only 2 or 3 guys can stay consistent. Final score prediction, Cubs win 5-2.