The Pirates visit the Chicago Cubs for a three‑game set on Friday as a mid‑August pivot in a crowded NL race. Pittsburgh sits 51-71 and has yet to name a starter, while Chicago hands the ball to Colin Rea (4.09 era) in a matchup that could swing leverage for both clubs. The Pirates just endured a brutal Brewers series where pitching allowed 33 runs and the offense managed six. Chicago wrapped a series with Toronto with a 2-1 loss, as Matthew Boyd labored for seven innings but Max Scherzer shut the door. The Cubs sit eight games back in the NL Central but 4.5 games up for a Wild Card spot. NBC Sports’ page lays out odds: Pirates +162, Cubs -196, with Cubs -1.5 and a 9.0 total. The projected pitching duel is TBD vs Rea, with Rea bringing a steady, attackable profile. Nightly lineups and live updates are essential for fantasy players enjoying this clash.

Expect Rea to attack hitters with a mix of fastball and change, while the Cubs lean on their home‑field edge and depth in the lineup. In fantasy terms, Nico Hoerner and Kyle Tucker emerge as players to watch for value against a Pirates bullpen that’s been stressed, while Colin Rea’s ability to work around danger will determine early momentum. The NBC model’s edge lines up Cubs on the moneyline, but a Pirates upset remains a plausible path if Chicago drifts late in the game. The best route for bettors and fantasy players is to track the in‑game moves and the first few innings for clues on who steps up when it matters most.

The Pirates ride a six-game skid into a ChI-Cubs showdown at Wrigley, with Chicago favored in a power-laden NL Central matchup. Colin Rea gets the ball for the Cubs, while Pittsburgh hasn’t named a starter yet. The betting board features Cubs at -202 and a nine-run total, but SportsLine’s model pegs value on one side and projects a low-scoring night around 8.6 runs. Reynolds and McCutchen pace Pittsburgh’s bats, while Suzuki and Crow-Armstrong anchor Chicago’s lineup. The Cubs’ post‑loss run line and home strengths are noted, as is Chicago’s favorable home cadence. New user promos and the model’s run-prop edge are highlighted.

In a deeper dive, the piece flags strong trends: Pittsburgh’s slump-tinged road underdog status (26-22 run line) contrasts with Chicago’s 34-17 run line after losses and 36-20 mark at home. The SportsLine projection has a disciplined posture, urging bettors to consider the Under and a single money-line edge, backed by a model that’s historically net-positive on MLB picks and homer props.

Miguel Amaya’s minor-league rehab is done, and he’s poised for activation with the Cubs, adding catching depth as the 40-man roster reshuffles to clear space for his return. Javier Assad moves onto the 40-man, while Nate Pearson is sent to Triple-A Iowa to make room. Jameson Taillon’s rehab progression hints at a potential Monday start in the doubleheader against Milwaukee, which could shift Ben Brown back to Iowa when rosters expand. The Cubs’ pitching staff gains depth at a critical juncture as Amaya, Assad, and Taillon rejoin the big-league club.

Assad hasn’t pitched this year due to oblique issues, but his path to the bullpen or a spot start in the doubleheader could tighten Chicago’s long relief options. Taillon, after a calf strain, carried a strong run earlier in 2025 (13 starts, 2.99 ERA, 0.919 WHIP) and could be a meaningful set of innings as the rotation re-stabilizes. McGuire’s fate hangs on roster moves, while Nate Pearson’s return to Iowa opens a 40-man slot for Amaya. Activation timing and bullpen roles will shape the Cubs’ immediate fantasy upside and the depth chart through August and September.

Three big home-run bets anchor a weekend MLB slate: Witt Jr. at +340, Burleson at +450, and Bernabel at +850. The board leans into favorable matchups, power-first scouting, and the upside of long-shot HR payouts for fantasy and betting angles.

Bobby Witt Jr. faces Bailey Ober, a hurler with a high homer rate, setting up a prime opportunity for Witt to chase his 17th of the season. Alec Burleson brings a Cardinals slugging edge (.453) into a favorable spot against Colin Rea and the Cubs. Warming Bernabel, Rockies rookie, is a classic buy-low at +850 after three homers in his first 12 MLB at-bats.

Odds snapshots, matchup nuances, and a reminder to manage risk highlight this weekend's edition. The trio offers a blend of proven power and ceiling upside, with the Rockies’ young infielder carrying the steepest profit potential if the stars align. As always, bet responsibly and enjoy the swing-heavy slate.

The Chicago Cubs face a challenging pitching situation as they rely heavily on 35-year-old Colin Rea amidst injuries to their starting rotation. Rea, who has made 17 starts this season, recently pitched five innings in a loss against the Kansas City Royals, where he surrendered six runs, including three two-run homers. Despite this, manager Craig Counsell defended him, attributing some runs to errors and noting the day's pitching conditions favored hitters.

As a result, the Cubs are evaluating their options ahead of the trade deadline, with potential targets like Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins and MacKenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals on their radar. With a playoff berth in sight, bolstering the rotation is crucial to their postseason ambitions, especially with Rea and other starters already seeing substantial workload this season.