Date: August 24
As the Chicago Cubs find themselves in the midst of a heated playoff race, their approach remains relaxed and focused. Manager David Ross openly admits that he prefers not to keep a constant eye on the standings, choosing instead to check the scores only after the game ends, reflecting both his competitive spirit and his fan’s perspective.
The Cubs have recently regained momentum, winning five of their last seven games, including a 6-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers. This successful stretch has allowed them to seize the second National League (NL) wild-card spot, edging ahead of the Cincinnati Reds by a narrow margin.
In their upcoming series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team in a rebuilding phase, the Cubs see an opportunity to further solidify their playoff position. Chicago holds a perfect 6-0 record against the Pirates this year, having swept both of their previous three-game series in June.
The Pirates, though in a developmental phase, have been buoyed by the contributions of veteran Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen recently achieved a milestone of 2,000 career hits and is now just one home run away from reaching the 300-homer mark.
Chicago’s starting pitcher for the series opener is set to be left-hander Justin Steele (14-3, 2.80 ERA). Steele has been delivering strong performances, with eight quality starts in his last 10 outings. In his most recent appearance, he pitched six innings and allowed only two runs against the Kansas City Royals.
Steele’s consistency has earned him the trust of manager David Ross, who highlighted his reliability and quality on the mound. Steele will face a Pirates team that has been struggling to establish a consistent rotation due to a combination of injuries, trades, and demotions.
As the Cubs seek to maintain their positive momentum and solidify their playoff aspirations, their matchup against the Pirates offers an opportunity to build on their recent successes and stay competitive in the NL playoff race.
