The Chicago Cubs host the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight in a game that feels like a playoff preview. Both teams are fighting for wild card spots, and the stakes are high. The matchup kicks off at 5:40 p.m. CT. You do not need a cable subscription to see it. A five-day free trial from DIRECTV lets fans watch the game online for free. This is the best way to catch the action without paying a dime. The Cubs hold a 4.5-game lead over Pittsburgh in the standings. Just one half-game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the last wild card position, the Pirates trail closely. This is a pivotal Friday night for the National League race.
Matthew Boyd Returns With a Vengeance
Left-hander Matthew Boyd takes the mound for the Cubs. He is back from a knee injury and looks sharp. Since returning, Boyd has made five starts. His numbers are strong with a 2.57 ERA and a 1.143 WHIP. He has not faced the Pirates this year, so there are no prior matchups to study. The Cubs are 27-23 on the road, showing they can win away from Wrigley Field. They are also 13-13 against their Central Division opponents. Boyd needs to keep his pitch count low and avoid giving up free passes. If he can settle in, the Cubs have a real shot to extend their lead. The Pirates have allowed the eighth-most runs in MLB, which gives Boyd a good chance to succeed.
Pirates Offense Is a Major Threat
Do not count out the Bucs just because they are trailing. Pittsburgh is second in MLB in runs scored. They hit more home runs this year than they did all of last season. The Pirates have 132 homers so far, while the Cubs have 128. This is a massive jump for a team that was dead last in baseball a year ago. They lead the league in hits per game with 9.1. They are also tied for first in batting average at .261. Brandon Lowe is the engine of this offense. This season, he tops the roster with 65 RBI and 21 home runs. The Pirates are 17-12 within the division, proving they can beat their rivals. They have won 27 games at PNC Park this season. Jared Jones, the Pirates’ right-hander, will face Boyd in a battle of young arms.
Can Cubs Maintain Their Lead?
The Cubs enter this game with a 57-45 record. They are coming off a 5-1 loss against the Detroit Tigers. Pete Crow-Armstrong is their star. He leads the team with 21 home runs and a .282 batting average. He also tops the squad with a .383 on-base percentage. The Pirates are 4.5 games back of Chicago, which holds the top wild card spot. Pittsburgh has won 27 games at home, while the Cubs have the same win total on the road. The Pirates are 17-12 against the NL Central after only winning 19 games against the division last season. This shows how much they have improved. The Cubs need to play their best ball to keep the pressure on. If they drop this series, the gap could shrink fast. The Pirates sit on the fringes of the wild card race, and every game matters now.
Expect a tight game with lots of hits and runs. The Pirates are third in slugging at .424 and third in OPS at .763. They are a team that hits the ball hard. The Cubs have the home-field advantage, but Pittsburgh has the momentum. Watch the game tonight to see if the Cubs can hold off the surge. Use the DIRECTV trial to stream it all. This is the kind of game that defines the season.
