The Pittsburgh Pirates head into their August 16, 2025 clash with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field desperately seeking a spark to stop their downward spiral, as the team sits at a disheartening 51–71 and has lost seven of its last ten games, including a five-game losing streak that’s exposed both offensive inefficiency and inconsistent pitching. Despite a few bright spots in their roster, the Pirates have been overmatched throughout much of the season, especially in divisional matchups, and they arrive in Chicago having been outscored 49–14 over their recent skid. The offense has been particularly dormant, producing just 3.5 runs per game during that stretch—dead last in MLB—and struggling to string together any momentum even against middle-tier pitching. Relying on a combination of youth and veteran leadership, the Pirates have prioritized development, with players like catcher Henry Davis and shortstop Liover Peguero gaining more reps while outfielder Bryan Reynolds and the returning Andrew McCutchen continue to offer clubhouse stability. Still, with the team well out of postseason contention, the emphasis is clearly on evaluating talent and setting a developmental foundation for 2026, even if that means enduring tough series like this one against a playoff-contending Cubs squad at their most dangerous on home soil.

On the mound, the Pirates are expected to start Mike Burrows, a right-hander with a 1–4 record and a 4.66 ERA, and although he’s shown flashes of potential, his recent outings have often ended with high pitch counts and few clean innings. The bullpen behind him hasn’t helped much either, with overuse and inconsistency contributing to multiple late-inning collapses. Fireballer Paul Skenes has offered hope for the future, but his usage has been limited as the Pirates manage his workload in what amounts to a developmental campaign. Defensively, Pittsburgh ranks near the bottom third in fielding percentage and has committed several costly errors in recent games, magnifying the pressure on a pitching staff that can’t afford extra outs. Offensively, Jack Suwinski’s power has cooled, and Ke’Bryan Hayes, while solid at third base, hasn’t delivered the kind of offensive consistency the team needs in the heart of the lineup. The Pirates have found some success with small ball tactics—bunts, steals, aggressive base running—but even that has slowed in the face of strong opposing pitching. Against the Cubs, who thrive on pitching efficiency and smart defensive positioning, Pittsburgh will need to be opportunistic, forcing mistakes, and capitalizing on rare scoring chances. The psychological factor also plays against Pittsburgh, as their historical struggles at Wrigley Field have been well-documented—they’ve dropped 30 of their last 40 games there going back nearly a decade. With the Cubs eyeing the postseason and motivated to pile on wins, the Pirates are unlikely to find a reprieve in this series. Realistically, their path to competitiveness in this game lies in a surprise breakout performance from Burrows, a quiet offensive surge, or a few key defensive plays to keep the score close. Otherwise, this contest likely continues the theme of 2025 for Pittsburgh—another lesson in patience, youth development, and the long game toward building a future contender from a present-day bottom-dweller.