Chi. Cubs Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Predictions September 2nd 2024

Scorching-Hot Cubs Welcome Scuffling Pirates

The Chicago Cubs are amidst a scorching stretch, scoring runs at a shocking rate and piling up wins in noteworthy style. With their offense terminating on all chambers, the Cubs will hope to proceed with their triumphant ways as they open a three-game series against the meeting Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.

Cubs’ Offensive Explosion

The Cubs (71-66) have scored a stunning 99 runs while winning nine of their last 10 games, pushing them back into the race for the Public Association’s third and last trump card spot. Chicago presently trails the Atlanta Conquers, who as of now hold that spot, by three games, and they are only two games behind the New York Mets.

This hostile flood has been completely surprising, with the Cubs scoring at least 14 sudden spikes in demand for four events during a new nine-game excursion. An especially prevailing series against the Pirates saw Chicago score 41 runs in a three-game breadth to start a week ago.

Sunday’s 14-1 defeat of the Washington Nationals was the Cubs’ 6th continuous triumph, denoting their longest series of wins of the time. Chicago hammered out 18 hits in the game, with Dansby Swanson driving the way with four hits. The Cubs were likewise exceptionally effective with sprinters in scoring position, going 9-for-17.

“Up and down the lineup, we had guys doing stuff,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Sunday’s win. “You can’t ask for anything more on offense than we got this trip.”

In their previous series against the Pirates, the Cubs collected 44 hits and stole 12 bases, including eight thefts in one game. Seiya Suzuki was a standout performer, going 8-for-15 with one homer, four RBIs, five runs, and two walks, while Pete Crow-Armstrong contributed with a 7-for-12 showing, scoring six runs and driving in three.

Pirates’ Struggles Continue

On the other side, the Pittsburgh Pirates (63-73) are in the midst of a difficult stretch. After winning a game on August 3 that put them two games above .500, the Pirates have gone just 7-19, a slump that has seen them fall out of contention.

Their struggles were evident in a recent series against the Cleveland Guardians, where they lost two out of three games. In Sunday’s 6-1 loss to Cleveland, the Pirates managed only two hits, both of which came in the seventh inning.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa broke up Alex Cobb’s perfect game bid with an infield single off Cobb’s glove, and Bryan Reynolds followed with another single. The Pirates’ only run of the game came later in the inning, but it was far from enough to mount a comeback.

“You know, the pitches we had to hit, we did not hit,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said after the loss.

Pitching Matchup: Jones vs. Taillon

The Pirates will send rookie right-hander Jared Jones (5-7, 3.88 ERA) to the mound on Monday, hoping for a better result than his last outing against the Cubs. In a 9-5 loss to Chicago last Tuesday, Jones gave up two-run homers to Dansby Swanson and Seiya Suzuki during a five-run fourth inning that ended his night. He allowed five hits and three walks while striking out four in that game.

Boost Your Betting Success! Discover the best MLB Betting Tips.

Jones has faced the Cubs twice before this season, splitting those starts in May. In those games, Ian Happ and Cody Bellinger both homered off him.

The Cubs will counter with right-hander Jameson Taillon (9-8, 3.85 ERA), who is set to confront his previous group indeed. Taillon procured a success against the Pirates on August 26, permitting four sudden spikes in demand for eight hits more than 6 2/3 innings in a 18-8 triumph. Prior in the season, on May 19, Taillon assumed a misfortune against Pittsburgh, giving up three sudden spikes in demand for six hits north of 4 2/3 innings. He is 2-2 with a 5.96 ERA in four vocation begins against the Pirates.

Series Outlook

As the Cubs hope to proceed with their hostile surge, they’ll mean to gain by the Pirates’ new battles and inch more like a season finisher spot. In the interim, the Pirates will be attempting to wake up from their rut and stay away from one more scope on account of Chicago. With the two groups heading in inverse bearings, this series could assume a pivotal part in deciding the Cubs’ season finisher destiny.