Cubs Clip Pirates, Set Sights on Brewers in Mega-Series

The Chicago Cubs closed their weekend with a nail-biting 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on Sunday, a victory that not only gave them the series but also teed up a massive showdown with Milwaukee.

Swanson’s Sacrifice

Dansby Swanson provided the decisive swing, lifting a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to score Carson Kelly and give the Cubs a one-run lead they wouldn’t surrender. Kelly had tied the game earlier with a bloop RBI single, while Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ each had multi-hit days to keep the offense churning.

Pen Power

The bullpen was airtight down the stretch. Caleb Thielbar picked up the win, and Andrew Kittredge locked down his first save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Big Picture

At 66-47, the Cubs sit eight games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central, but the timing couldn’t be bigger: Chicago now faces the Brewers in a five-game series, starting with a split doubleheader Monday at Wrigley. With the Brewers’ win streak snapped by Cincinnati, the Cubs have a golden opportunity to claw their way back into the race.

What’s at Stake

If Chicago can bite into Milwaukee’s division lead, the Cubs could transform August into a pennant-chase springboard. The friendly confines are ready, the rivalry is heated, and the North Siders know the next five games could make or break their season.