Pirate's victory over Cubs thanks to Jack Suwinski's game-deciding home run in the 9th, securing a close 3-2 win.
The Chicago Cubs have ended a slump with a strong 12-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on August 24, 2025, marking a significant turnaround in their recent performance. The team's resurgence was highlighted by Kyle Tucker's impressive display, hitting two home runs and driving in five runs in the game.
With this win, the Cubs have improved their season status, currently holding a 75-55 record and securing the 2nd place in the NL Central division. They are now 16.5 games ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who stand at 57-74.
The team's offensive lineup has shown promising signs, with key contributors like Kyle Tucker, Nico Hoerner, and Carson Kelly making significant impacts. Tucker's performance in the recent game was particularly noteworthy, while Hoerner has been batting consistently with RBI contributions, and Kelly chipped in with an RBI single in the same game.
Offensively, the Cubs rank 5th in slugging percentage (.429), demonstrating decent power hitting. However, they are lower in batting average (.249, 15th) and on-base percentage (.319, 11th), indicating room for improvement in these areas.
The Cubs' resurgence from their slump and solid recent performances, especially against division rivals and respectable teams, have helped maintain their strong position in the NL Central. This win over the Pirates was a testament to their determination to stay in control of the standings.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the Pittsburgh Pirates managed to end the Cubs' winning streak with a 3-2 victory on August 25. Jack Suwinski, a Chicago native, hit a solo home run in the ninth inning to secure the win for the Pirates.
The Pirates took an early lead in the fourth inning, with Andrew McCutchen's double putting them ahead 1-0. The Cubs responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning, thanks to Pete Crow-Armstrong's RBI single. The game remained tied until the seventh, when Shaw scored Crow-Armstrong with a sacrifice fly, tying the game at 2.
Despite the Cubs loading the bases with none out in the seventh, they could only score one run. The Pirates' RHP Mike Burrows and rookie Braxton Ashcraft put up a strong performance, with Ashcraft allowing one run on three hits in five innings, striking out four and walking none in his longest start.
The Cubs will look to bounce back from this defeat when they face the Pirates again on Saturday, with LHP Shota Imanaga taking the mound for the Cubs. The Pirates will counter with RHP Mike Burrows, who will be aiming to build on his performance from the previous game.
Despite this setback, the Cubs remain optimistic about their chances in the NL Central, with their strong season record and recent improvements providing a solid foundation for their continued success.
In the ongoing MLB season, the Cubs are set to face the Pirates again on Saturday, with Shota Imanaga and Mike Burrows taking the mound for their respective teams. This match follows the Pirates' surprising 3-2 victory over the Cubs, which ended the team's winning streak on August 25. The win was secured by a solo home run from Chicago native Jack Suwinski in the ninth inning.
The Cubs, despite this setback, remain optimistic about their position in the NL Central, having secured the 2nd place with a 75-56 record, 16.5 games ahead of the Pirates, who stand at 57-75.
In light of the recent news in Toronto courtrooms, it is worth noting that Tucker's impressive performance, with two home runs and five RBIs, played a significant role in the Cubs' resurgence from their slump and their fight for dominance in the NL Central division.
