Thursday and Friday were the 15th time this season that the Cubs followed a win with back-to-back losses. They have won their next game the last six times, most recently on Wednesday at Toronto. The Cubs’ only two three-game losing streaks were May 6-9 (two at home vs.

The Chicago Cubs are projected to make a key decision on their pitcher after a bit of a regression in his second year.

The Chicago Cubs are hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. Here is what time, what channel, how to watch, a free live stream.

The Pirates threw just an eyelash over 14 pitches per inning. The Cubs threw a hair under 16 pitches per inning. At the end of the day, the homer cost the Cubs the game. But, you can see here that the Pirates were able to make the Cubs pitchers more than a little bit harder than their own.

The Cubs are favored (-200 on the moneyline to win) when they host the Pirates (+168). The Chicago Cubs will give the start to Shota Imanaga (8-5, 3.19 ERA), who is looking for win No. 9 on the season, and the Pirates will counter with Mike Burrows (1-4, 4.66 ERA).

It happened again Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field and the Pirates, who just allowed the Brewers 33 runs in a three-game series, gave the Cubs just two and the homestand began on a down note with a 3-2 loss.

Cubs starter Shota Imanaga heads to the dugout after throwing against the White Sox in the first inning on July 25, 2025, at Rate Field. Imanaga gave up three runs in the inning.

If Imanaga starts Game 1, the Cubs could have him back on full rest to start Game 4 if they are facing elimination, as there will be four days between Games 1 and 4. And if they are really desperate, they could go with Imanaga on short rest for Game 3 if they are down 2-0 and looking at being swept.