The Chicago Cubs return to Wrigley Field on Saturday to face the Pittsburgh Pirates, hoping to break a troubling streak of low run production that has contributed to three consecutive series losses. In an effort to spark the offense, the Cubs have made adjustments to their batting order, notably moving Matt Shaw up from the ninth to the eighth spot, while Owen Caissie is absent from the lineup.
The lineup features some unusual positioning, with Pete Crow-Armstrong batting fifth behind Ian Happ, creating a sequence of three left-handed hitters in a row—Tucker, Happ, and Crow-Armstrong. This is followed by three right-handed batters consecutively—Hoerner, Swanson, and Shaw—and then two left-handed hitters, McGuire and Busch, before the order repeats. This arrangement raises questions about whether Cubs manager Craig Counsell is strategizing for potential late relief pitching matchups involving pinch hitters like Justin Turner or Willi Castro.
Matt Shaw’s promotion up the lineup draws attention since he has shown the most consistent offensive production recently. While traditionally positioned ninth, his move to eighth might be a test to see if moving him higher could generate more run-scoring opportunities. The Cubs’ offense has struggled overall, so relying more on Shaw’s bat could be a necessary risk despite developmental priorities for the young player.
Owen Caissie’s absence is notable, especially as his recent promotion created expectations for more regular playing time. However, the Cubs still seem uncertain about where to install him in the everyday lineup, resulting in him sitting out this matchup.
Pitching Matchup: Colin Rea Takes the Hill for Cubs
Right-hander Colin Rea will start for Chicago, coming off his best performance of the season against the St. Louis Cardinals, where he allowed just one run over six innings. In that outing, Rea pitched on three hits, walked two batters, and struck out six. With the Pirates ranking as the third-worst team in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB against right-handed pitching (83 wRC+), this game presents a solid chance for Rea to continue building momentum.
The Pittsburgh Pirates‘ starter is right-hander Braxton Ashcraft, who has mostly worked as a multi-inning reliever this season but will make one of his few starts today. Ashcraft typically won’t pitch beyond three innings but has posted a respectable 3.19 ERA and a 2.81 FIP. He has been especially effective in limiting hard contact, holding opponents to a 4.5% barrel rate, and is strong against left-handed hitters. Earlier this season, Ashcraft faced the Cubs and retired all six batters he faced over two innings.
Lineup and Injury Updates for Both Teams
The Cubs’ roster is missing several key players due to injury, including starting pitchers Jameson Taillon, Michael Soroka, Justin Steele, and reliever Eli Morgan, as well as catcher Miguel Amaya. For the Pirates, notable absences include outfielder Oneil Cruz, relievers Tim Mayza and Justin Lawrence, infielder Enmaunel Valdez, pitcher Jared Jones, and catcher/first baseman Endy Rodriguez.
Weather Conditions at Wrigley Field for Today’s Game
Saturday’s game at Wrigley Field in Chicago is expected to see temperatures around 82 degrees Fahrenheit, with a weak to moderate wind blowing from right to left at 8-9 miles per hour. These conditions could influence how the ball carries, potentially affecting offensive output in this tightly contested matchup.
Implications for Cubs as They Face the Pirates
The Cubs are 68-52 on the season but have clearly been struggling offensively in recent games. The decision to move Matt Shaw higher in the batting order reflects a sense of urgency to ignite the lineup and avoid extending the current streak of offensive woes. Facing a Pirates team with a weaker offense and a challenging pitching rotation from the bullpen side, this game provides an opportunity for Chicago to regain offensive rhythm and halt their slide.
How Shaw performs with increased responsibility could shape the Cubs’ lineup strategy going forward, especially as manager Counsell balances player development and the pressing need to score runs. Meanwhile, the absence of Owen Caissie highlights ongoing roster decisions and uncertainties about the team’s depth.