Cubs vs Pirates at Wrigley Field: NL Central showdown on Friday
Two NL Central teams meet in Chicago as the Pittsburgh Pirates (51-71) take on the Chicago Cubs (68-52) Friday at 2:20 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field. The game will be shown on MLB Network, MARQ and SportsNet PT, with regional live streams available on Fubo.
Projected starters
– Chicago Cubs: Colin Rea (9-5, 4.09 ERA) will try to pick up his 10th win. In 21 appearances this season, he has 85 strikeouts over 116 2/3 innings. Rea’s most recent outing came against the St. Louis Cardinals, when he worked six innings and allowed one earned run on three hits. Across 24 games this season, he’s posted a 4.09 ERA with 6.6 strikeouts per nine innings, and opponents are batting .268 against him. Rea is seeking his seventh quality start of the year and has logged 16 outings of five or more innings. He also has five appearances this season in which he limited opponents to zero earned runs. Versus the Pirates this season, Rea owns a 3.00 ERA and a 0.917 WHIP in 12 innings over two appearances, allowing just a .186 opponent batting average.
– Game props: Strikeouts over/under 4.5 (Over +105); hits allowed over/under 5.5 (Over +100).
– Pittsburgh Pirates: Braxton Ashcraft (3-2, 3.19 ERA) gets the ball for his third start of the season. In 18 appearances, he has a 3.19 ERA with a .259 batting average against and 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings. He most recently pitched on Saturday against the Reds, going 3 1/3 innings and permitting one earned run. Ashcraft has finished 10 appearances without allowing an earned run in 18 chances. In two appearances this season against the Cubs, he has gone 0-for-6 with two innings pitched.
– Game props: Strikeouts over/under 3.5 (-110); hits allowed over/under 4.5 (-140).
Team context
The Pirates enter with a potent challenge against a Cubs club that ranks among the league’s better teams. Pittsburgh’s offense sits at .232 as a team, ranks 26th in hits (942), and has scored 432 runs, with a team slugging percentage around .346 and 86 home runs—leading to MLB’s lowest slugging and home-run totals in the league. Chicago counters with a .252 team batting average and a slugging percentage around .434, plus 170 home runs on the season, contributing to a stronger offensive profile.
Game details
Date: Friday, August 15, 2025
Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago
TV/Stream: MLB Network, MARQ, SportsNet PT; Live stream available on Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
Where to watch and betting notes
Fans can watch the game on the networks listed above or stream it via Fubo. For those following the day’s action, Rea’s past performance against the Pirates suggests he can handle a Pittsburgh lineup that has struggled for consistency this season, while Ashcraft will aim to build on a solid start-to-season stretch against a Cubs offense that has posted strong numbers at home.
Summary
The Cubs host the Pirates in a Friday matinee at Wrigley Field with Colin Rea aiming to continue his productive season against Pittsburgh, and Braxton Ashcraft looking to keep his early-season form intact against a Chicago lineup that has produced steady offense. If Rea can slow the Pirates’ bats and Ashcraft can repeat his efficiency, Chicago could extend its NL Central momentum in the weekend set.
Additional notes
– If you’re looking for a quick snapshot, expect a contrast in offensive environments: Chicago’s higher slugging and home-run potential against Pittsburgh’s struggle to generate runs, with both pitchers looking to capitalize on favorable matchups.
– A positive, hopeful takeaway: midseason performances like Rea’s against Pittsburgh show the Cubs’ resilience at home, while Ashcraft’s early success signals potential for continued development as the Pirates try to turn the tide in this series.