Kyle Tucker sparked a late Cubs rally with a leadoff single in the eighth, then Suzuki delivered an RBI single to break a scoreless tie, followed by Hoerner driving in another on a double. The Cubs hung on for a 3-1 win over Pittsburgh, fueled by seven efficient innings from Shōta Imanaga and a clean, clutch bullpen finish from Brad Keller.

Chicago moved to 13-2 in games following a win after a stretch of frustration, and they tightened their grip on the NL wild-card picture. Javier Assad is set to start Sunday as the Cubs look for the series victory, while Carmen Mlodzinski draws the Pirates again in the finale. The game featured a rare Tucker burst of emotion and a bullpen sequence that kept Pittsburgh at bay late.

From a fantasy lens, Imanaga’s seven innings behind a low-yrmpathn bullpen arms his stock as a streamer, while Tucker, Suzuki, and Hoerner each delivered run-producing actions that can translate into short-term value when the Cubs rally in big moments.

Seiya Suzuki delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the eighth, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kyle Tucker kicked off the scoring sequence by singling and swiping second base before Suzuki’s grounder to center plated him. Nico Hoerner added a two-out RBI double after an intentional pass to Ian Happ. Shota Imanaga spun seven strong innings for the Cubs, and Brad Keller closed it out to seal the win.

The Cubs finally snapped a skid, getting three runs from a lineup that has often been held in check this month. Pittsburgh’s offense was limited to a Tommy Pham homer and a handful of opportunities, with rookie Mike Burrows going five innings and Evan Sisk exiting after one, leaving the Pirates to rue missed chances in a tight ballgame. The series concludes with Cubs ace-in-waiting Javier Assad taking the ball for Chicago and Carmen Mlodzinski opening for Pittsburgh, signaling more bullpen depth will be tested in game three.

Fantasy angles center on Suzuki’s late-game power and Tucker’s baserunning pace in a run-heavy back-end of the lineup, while Imanaga’s seven-inning gem underscores Chicago’s ongoing confidence in the lefty. For Pittsburgh, Pham’s homer provides a spark, but the offense will need more sustained production from the top of the order as the Pirates lean on Burrows’ five innings and a deeper bullpen to cover the rest of the series.

The Pittsburgh Pirates stumbled against the Philadelphia Phillies, falling 5-2 on May 17. Despite a promising start from Carmen Mlodzinski, who had a perfect first two innings, he couldn’t maintain his form, allowing four runs in just 3.1 innings. The Pirates managed only four hits throughout the game, lacking offensive support, which has been a recurring issue for the team this season.

Mlodzinski's inconsistency raises concerns; his ERA jumps significantly in the middle innings, contrasting sharply with his early-game performance. The Pirates' struggles are compounded by their overall record, now standing at 15-31, reflecting a season plagued by offensive inefficiencies and pitching struggles.

The Pittsburgh Pirates secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves, clinching the series with a dramatic walk-off play by Joey Bart. The game was decided when Bart's fielder's choice allowed Adam Frazier to score from third, despite the ball never leaving the infield. Pirates' starter Carmen Mlodzinski delivered a strong performance, pitching 5.2 scoreless innings, but the bullpen faced challenges late in the game.

Pittsburgh's offense shined in the fifth inning, scoring three runs against Braves’ starter Chris Sale, who struggled during his third time through the order. Key contributions came from Jared Triolo and Ke’Bryan Hayes, who both reached base and advanced on a double steal. A passed ball allowed Triolo to score, while a sacrifice fly from Andrew McCutchen brought Hayes home, and Bart capped the inning with a timely single.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially kicked off their spring training with their first game against the Baltimore Orioles in the Grapefruit League. Set to take place at Ed Smith Stadium, the Pirates lineup features promising talents like Nick Gonzales and Henry Davis, who hopes to rebound from a lackluster major league stint after a strong minor league career. Davis, the 2021 first overall pick, faces stiff competition from teammates Joey Bart and Endy Rodriguez for playing time behind the plate.

Carmen Mlodzinski, who had a solid previous season with a 3.38 ERA, is poised to further establish himself as a reliable pitcher for the Pirates. As the team prepares for the season, manager Derek Shelton maintains faith in Davis, emphasizing a patient approach to his development. This spring, the Pirates are focused on integrating their young talent and shaping their roster for the upcoming season.