Jun 12, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs middle fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) hits a two-run residence run in opposition to the Pittsburgh Pirates throughout the fourth inning at Wrigley Area. Obligatory Credit score: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Pictures There was a standard theme within the Chicago Cubs’ current losses: an incapability to supply with runners on base. It is one thing the Cubs will look to rectify on Saturday once they host the Pittsburgh Pirates within the third matchup of a four-game set.
The Cubs stranded 9 runners and went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring place in a 2-1, 10-inning loss on Friday. In a 7-2 defeat to the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, they left seven on base and had been 1-for-7 with an opportunity to attain. The loss earlier than that (4-3 in 11 innings in opposition to Philadelphia on Monday) noticed Chicago go away eight on base whereas going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring place.
“Look, we wish to have a very good course of, that is what you’ll be able to management,” Cubs supervisor Craig Counsell mentioned. “However that at all times entails swinging at balls — the correct pitches — so that does not change regardless of who’s pitching, it is at all times the identical.”
Seiya Suzuki was the one Cubs batter to attach for a number of hits on Friday, with six others accounting for the remainder.
A kind of was Pete Crow-Armstrong, who has a success in 9 of 11 video games in June. The middle fielder has not gone greater than two video games with out a hit this season.
The 23-year-old is not afraid to go after pitches exterior the zone, with a 43.9 p.c chase charge, nicely above the most important league common (28.5 p.c). And it hasn’t damage him on the plate, as he would not have a excessive strikeout charge.
“There’s actually no clear approach to assault him,” Chicago pitcher Jameson Taillon mentioned after Crow-Armstrong homered within the Cubs’ 3-2 win in opposition to Pittsburgh. “All of us thought he was going to hit within the massive leagues, however the energy is loopy. He is placing balls approach again within the seats in opposition to good, robust pitches.”
Matthew Boyd (5-3, 2.89 ERA) will take the mound for the Cubs on Saturday.
The left-hander, who gave up two runs (one earned) on eight hits in six innings throughout a no-decision in opposition to the Phillies on Monday, shall be on the lookout for his first profession win in opposition to the Pirates. He’s 0-3 with a 6.53 ERA in six profession begins vs. Pittsburgh. Boyd threw 5 innings of two-run ball in a no-decision at Pittsburgh on April 30.
The Pirates, in the meantime, shall be trying to sustain a profitable stretch that has seen them win seven of their previous 10 video games. 4 of these wins had been determined by a run.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa linked for the game-winning run on Friday, driving in computerized runner Adam Frazier with a Tenth-inning sacrifice fly. Again at shortstop this season after spending numerous time final yr both at second or third, the 30-year-old veteran is beginning to discover his approach after a proper hamstring pressure sidelined him in early Might.
“We bought a protracted approach to go,” Kiner-Falefa mentioned. “Engaged on it day-after-day, nonetheless getting used to being again at shortstop. So, anytime you have got these video games and make some performs, simply construct off the momentum. Simply doing one of the best I can on the market, and I feel it will get higher.”
Mike Burrows (1-1, 5.00 ERA) will get the nod for the Pirates. Will probably be the primary profession look in opposition to the Cubs for the right-hander, in his sixth main league recreation (his fifth this yr).
–Area Degree Media
