How to watch to today’s Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs MLB game: Live stream, regional networks, team news, start time

The Chicago Cubs and Seiya Suzuki are set to square off with the Pittsburgh Pirates and veteran Andrew McCutchen on Friday afternoon at the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field.

It’s been a rough ride for the Pirates, who sit at 51-71 and anchored to the bottom of the NL Central standings. After being swept in three straight by the Brewers, Pittsburgh had Thursday off to regroup. The bats have been ice-cold most of the year, their .232 team average ranks 28th in the majors, and it dips even lower to .213 on the road. Against Chicago this season, the Pirates are hitting just .182. Post-All-Star break, they’ve managed a more respectable .240, but consistency remains elusive.

The Cubs, on the other hand, looked like division favorites earlier this year, but the surging Brewers, baseball’s hottest club since May, have knocked them six games out of first. Chicago now appears more likely to chase a Wild Card berth than the division crown.

Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs MLB game, plus plenty more.

How to watch Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs on TV & stream live online

• National TV channel: MLB Network
• Local TV channel: MARQ, and SportsNet PT
• Streaming service: Fubo

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Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs: Date and First-Pitch time

Pittsburgh Pirates will take on Chicago Cubs in a highly anticipated MLB game on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 2:20 pm ET/ 11:20 pm PT at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois.

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Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs team news

Pittsburgh Pirates team news

For Pittsburgh, Bryan Reynolds has been the club’s top run producer with 61 RBIs, ranking 56th in the league. He’s also in the midst of a four-game hitting streak, batting .368 over his last five games with two homers and five RBIs. McCutchen, still a reliable veteran bat, is hitting .243 with 16 doubles and 11 home runs. Isiah Kiner-Falefa leads the Pirates in batting average at .268, while Tommy Pham is close behind at .263.

The Pirates will turn to Braxton Ashcraft for bulk innings. The rookie righty has been sharp, posting a 3.19 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with a 3-2 record in 36.2 innings. In his last outing, he allowed just one run in 3.1 innings against the Reds. He’s also tossed two scoreless innings against the Cubs this season.

Chicago Cubs team news

Kyle Tucker has been a steady presence at the plate, batting .265 with 21 doubles, four triples, 18 homers, and 77 walks, ranking 53rd in both home runs and RBIs across the league. Pete Crow-Armstrong, with a team-high 27 homers, sits 10th in the majors in long balls and 15th in RBIs. Suzuki shares that 27-homer mark while pacing the team with 85 RBIs. Nico Hoerner leads Chicago in batting average at .293 and brings a modest two-game hitting streak into the contest. Over his last five appearances, Hoerner is hitting .300.

On the mound for Chicago will be Colin Rea, who is coming off a gem against the Cardinals in which he allowed just one run over six innings for the win. The right-hander has been a model of reliability lately, yielding two or fewer runs in six of his last eight starts. On the season, Rea sports a 9-5 record with a 4.09 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 116.2 innings. Against Pittsburgh this year, he’s given up only four runs in two outings, but career-wise, the Pirates have had more success, tagging him for a 5.49 ERA in 41 innings.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs projected starting pitchers

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs head-to-head record 

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