Pirates 3, Cubs 2 at Wrigley Field snapped Pittsburgh’s five-game skid as Braxton Ashcraft turned in five solid innings and allowed the Bucs’ offense to stay within reach. Jack Suwinski delivered the decisive blow, a go-ahead homer in the ninth that sealed the win and highlighted Pittsburgh’s late-game pop.

With the 3-2 victory, the Pirates improve to 52-71 while Chicago sits at 68-53, and the clubs head into Saturday’s rematch. For fantasy players, Suwinski’s power remains a reliable source of HR upside in the Pirates’ lineup, and Ashcraft’s five-inning quality start provides a plausible streaming option in deeper formats if he can sustain innings well into the late going.

Overall, the win underscores the Pirates’ ability to manufacture late-inning offense and gives fantasy managers a glimmer of upside from Pittsburgh during this stretch. The Cubs faced a close loss but remain formidable offensively, setting up an intriguing follow-up in the weekend set.