Cubs and Pirates Collide at PNC in a Tight NL Showdown

Four games separate these two clubs in the standings, and Friday night at PNC Park has the feel of a game that could matter come September. Chicago brings a four-game edge in the win column, but Pittsburgh is close enough that letting one slip here stings.

The Cubs (57-45) arrive in Pittsburgh with a meaningful cushion over the Pirates (53-50), but this is not a team that can afford to treat a road series as a tune-up. Matthew Boyd is expected to take the mound for Chicago, and how he handles a Pirates lineup that has real pop will set the tone early. Jared Jones is projected to start for Pittsburgh, and the home crowd at PNC Park will be leaning on him to keep the Cubs' offense in check from the jump.

On the Pittsburgh side, the player who demands the most attention is Brandon Lowe. His 21 home runs and 65 RBI make him the most dangerous run-producer in this lineup — a guy who can single-handedly flip a game with one swing. Nick Gonzales adds a different kind of threat: a .313 batting average means he gets on base at a rate that keeps innings alive and puts pressure on opposing pitchers to be precise. If Lowe and Gonzales are clicking in the same game, Boyd will need to be sharp.

For Chicago, Pete Crow-Armstrong is the name to watch. His .282 average paired with 21 home runs makes him a genuine two-way threat — someone who can hurt you with a single or end an at-bat with one pull of the hands. Dansby Swanson's 58 RBI signal that he's been productive in the middle of the order all season, and his presence gives the Cubs lineup some depth behind their headliners. As for a model read on tonight's outcome — there isn't one to offer. This one goes into the books as a genuine toss-up on paper, which honestly makes it worth watching. Two clubs close enough in the standings to feel each other's breath, with legitimate offensive weapons on both sides. That's a Friday night game worth tuning into on MLB.TV or Marquee Sports Net.