Cubs Pivot to Pittsburgh: Gearing Up for a Series of Surprises

The Leadoff Man

Tough loss against San Diego with Cease on his game, but let's shift gears. This weekend's series against the Pirates is going to be exciting! They've got some talented young arms – Jarad Jones, and then Paul Skenes, the top pick in this year's draft. This guy could be the Caleb Williams of Pittsburgh baseball – I can’t wait to have the Cubs welcome him to the major leagues.

Wednesday was Forgettable

A challenging game against SD, but eyes are now on the upcoming series against the Pirates. 

It was a rough outing for our Cubs, falling 3-0 to San Diego with limited offensive highlights. Dylan Cease’s pitching was a notable exception, showcasing a stunning performance that the Cubs struggled to counter. As Cease fired pitches reached speeds up to 99.3 MPH, our team managed a max exit velocity of just 94.6 MPH.

Despite the setback, our focus is forward-looking—optimism reigns as we turn our attention to the Pittsburgh series starting Friday. With vital rest day for players like Dansby Swanson after a grueling stretch of 16 consecutive games, the Cubs hopefully bounce back refreshed and determined in Pittsburgh starting Friday.

Cubs’ Pitching Had Solid Outings

Cubs pitchers Heyden Wesneski and Adbert Alzolay had good outings in the loss.

Heyden Wesneski put together a solid outing, going six innings and giving up just three earned runs despite taking the loss. It's a shame the bats couldn't get going for him, as a few more runs could have changed the narrative. On the bright side, Adbert Alzolay looked sharp in those 7th and 8th inning relief appearances – hopefully, this is a sign he's turning things around. And how about Keegan Thompson in the 9th? He was straight-up nasty, forcing a ton of swing-and-misses – Baseball Savant even clocked 7 of his 20 pitches that way.

Cubs Craving Pierogies in Pittsburgh This Weekend

Jameson Taillon and Justin Steele are set to lead the Cubs in Pittsburgh this

This weekend, the stage is set for an enthralling series between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates, highlighting our formidable pitching lineup. On Friday, veteran Jameson Taillon steps up to the mound with an exceptional ERA of 1.12, facing off against the Pirates' promising rookie, Jared Jones. Despite Jones’s rapid rise and an impressive WHIP of 0.780, Taillon’s seasoned expertise is anticipated to prevail, setting a robust tone for the series.

The intrigue intensifies on Saturday with the Pirates announcing Paul Skenes making his major league debut. This twist adds an element of unpredictability and excitement, ensuring fans are on the edge of their seats.

Capping off the weekend, Justin Steele, who recently returned from the IL, is slated for Sunday. Steele's compelling FIP of 2.07 underscores his knack for controlling the game and minimizing opponent scores.

Check out tomorrow’s deep dive into the upcoming Pirates Series.

The Closer

In tomorrow's edition, we’ll delve into the performances of Cubs players who have exceeded expectations this season. While stars like Shota Imanaga have delivered as anticipated, other players have surprisingly stepped up, contributing significantly beyond their projected impact.