The Chicago Cubs are knocking on the door of history, sitting at 792 total runs for the season after absolutely putting up a dozen yesterday. We’re talking about a club on the verge of cracking 800 runs for only the 13th time since 1901, and you know they’re itching to hit that milestone today against the Pittsburgh Pirates. That kind of offensive output is rare air for this franchise, only seen a handful of times this century, like 819 in 2023, 808 in 2016, 814 in 2019, 822 in 2017, and a massive 855 back in 2008.
Can The Offense Keep Rolling Against Tough Trends?
That 12-run explosion yesterday not only pushed them to the brink of 800, it also squared up their record in day games this year at 32-32. They’ve been solid at home with a 22-16 record in those daytime matchups, but things get a little dicier when they play the second game of a back-to-back day doubleheader. They’re just 13-17 in those spots this year, a sharp contrast to their 24-13 finish last season. At home in those specific scenarios, they’re 12-10 this year, a noticeable dip from their 22-12 mark a year ago.
It’s Saturday, folks, and that brings its own vibe. The Cubs are 13-11 overall on Saturdays this season, with a decent 7-5 record when they play at Wrigley. Last year, Saturdays were straight up magical for them, finishing 20-7 overall and 9-5 at home. So while the offense is definitely cooking, hitting their average of 5.35 runs per game would project them to a wild 867 runs by season’s end, you gotta wonder if these specific Saturday day game trends will hold them back a bit today.
Skenes’ Struggles vs. Holmes’ Bounce Back
Now, let’s talk about the mound matchup. The Cubs are sending Clay Holmes out there, and outside of a “stinker” last Sunday against the Marlins, his 2026 season has been flat-out excellent. He started his career with the Pirates, which is a cool wrinkle, but he’s never actually faced them as a starter. The only guy on that Pirates roster who’s seen him for more than a handful of at-bats is Brandon Lowe, who’s 2-for-8. You gotta love that fresh start dynamic, right?
On the other side, the Pirates are rolling with Paul Skenes, and man, it’s been a “somewhat down year” for him, as the numbers tell it. His ERA is sitting “well over 3” and his velocity has apparently dipped a few ticks. The Cubs actually saw him on July 25 at PNC Park and had his number, ringing him up for six hits and five runs over just 5.1 innings, even though he punched out 10 guys. Since that game, Skenes has been really struggling, posting a 4.46 ERA and a 1.456 WHIP across seven starts and 34.1 innings. This isn’t a new thing for him against Chicago, either; his 3.45 career ERA against the Cubs is his highest against any team he’s faced more than four times. The Cubs know how to hit this guy, period.
What’s At Stake Today in Wrigley
So, here we go. It’s Saturday afternoon, sunshine expected around Wrigley Field, and the stakes are real. Can the Cubs offense keep mashing against a struggling Skenes and finally hit that 800-run mark for the season? Will Clay Holmes shake off that last outing and get back to his dominant self against his old team, who he’s never started against? This isn’t just another game; it’s a chance for the Cubs to cement their offensive identity for the season and keep that historical run going. You absolutely do not want to miss this one on Marquee Sports Network. Get hyped!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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