On August 17, 2025, the Chicago Cubs played against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. The Cubs won 4–3. Caleb Thielbar was the winning pitcher, improving his record to 2-3 with a 2.25 ERA. The Cubs are now 69-53, holding 2nd place in the NL Central. Key performances included Ian Happ with 2 hits and an RBI. The Pirates, now 52-72, saw Joey Bart with 2 RBIs in the game. The Cubs scored first in the second inning. They added another run in the fifth inning, taking a 2-1 lead. The Pirates responded in the sixth inning, scoring two runs to go ahead 3-2. The Cubs tied the game in the sixth inning with one run. In the eighth inning, the Cubs scored the winning run to seal the game 4-3. The Pirates could not score in the final innings.

Key Players
For the Cubs, Caleb Thielbar played a vital role in securing the win. He pitched for a third of an inning, allowing no hits and striking out one. His performance helped maintain the lead for the Cubs.
On the batting side, Dansby Swanson and Ian Happ stood out. Swanson contributed with two RBIs and a double, while Happ added one RBI and a double as well. Their hits were crucial in driving in runs for the Cubs.
For the Pirates, Isaac Mattson took the loss. He pitched one inning, giving up two hits and one earned run. On the offensive front, Joey Bart had two RBIs, providing some momentum for the Pirates.

What’s Next

The Cubs’ win over the Pirates brings their record to 69-53. This keeps them in 2nd place in the Central Division. They are continuing to chase the top spot, staying competitive as the season progresses. The Pirates, with their loss, drop to 52-72 and remain in 5th place in the Central Division. This game adds another defeat in their head-to-head record with the Cubs this season. The standings reflect the ongoing struggle for the Pirates as they look to improve their position.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will start a new series against the Toronto Blue Jays. This series begins on Monday, August 18, 2025, at PNC Park. The game is scheduled for 6:40 PM.

The Chicago Cubs will begin a series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, August 18, 2025. The Cubs will play at Wrigley Field with the first game starting at 2:20 PM. Another game is scheduled for later that day at 8:05 PM.

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