CHICAGO CUBS NEWS

Esteban Quiroz - Thriving out of two hole Quiroz went 2-for-3 with two walks, two runs and an RBI in Sunday's 8-3 win over the Pirates.

Impact Quiroz initially appeared in line to fill a depth role for the Cubs when his contract was selected from Triple-A Iowa on Sept. 17, but he's suddenly settled in as not only Chicago's primary second baseman, but also as the club's No. 2 batter. He's started five of the Cubs' last six games out of the two hole, going 7-for-18 with a 3:3 BB:K over that stretch. The 30-year-old rookie has yet to produce a home run or steal in his first 26 big-league plate appearances and didn't offer much juice in either category during his time in the minors, but his high-contact approach and favorable spot in the lineup could make him a useful contributor in the batting average and runs categories over the final week and a half of the season. Quiroz's hot run at the plate looks to have put him ahead of the slumping Christopher Morel for an everyday role in the Chicago infield.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs can aim high in pursuit of free-agent arms: 'We've started talking about names' The Cubs are nearing a point in their rebuild where adding a top-of-the-rotation starter makes sense.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Patrick Wisdom - Homers, steals base in win Wisdom went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer, two runs scored, a hit-by-pitch and a stolen base in an 8-3 victory Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Impact Wisdom got the scoring started Sunday with a three-run, two-out homer in the fifth. In the seventh, he was hit by a pitch, stole a base and scored. He's now 8-for-12 in stolen base attempts on the season and has been successful in six of his last seven attempts. While he is just 4-for-32 at the plate in September, three of his hits have left the park.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ian Happ - Steals ninth base Happ went 2-for-5 with a double, a stolen base, a run scored and an RBI in an 8-3 win Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Impact Happ doubled in the fifth and drove in a run with a single, stole second and scored in the seventh. It was the ninth stolen base of the year for the Mt. Lebanon native and his second this month. He continues to dominate his hometown club and has a .316/.405/.558 line in 310 career plate appearances against the Pirates.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Brandon Hughes - Earns seventh save Hughes (ankle) picked up the save Sunday in Pittsburgh, retiring the only batter he faced in an 8-3 win.

Impact Hughes entered the game with two outs and the bases loaded and got Diego Castillo to line out to end the game. It was his seventh save of the season and fourth since Sept. 9. The lefty was removed from Thursday's game after he rolled his ankle but was healthy enough to pitch Sunday after not being used the last two nights. He's likely to have save opportunities down the stretch but the Cubs may also use him in high-leverage situations earlier in ballgames.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Adrian Sampson - Another great start Sunday Sampson (3-5) earned the victory Sunday in Pittsburgh, striking out three in six innings while allowing a run on four hits.

Impact Sampson faced three batters over the minimum Sunday with the only run against him coming on a Bryan Reynolds solo homer with two outs in the sixth. It was his fourth straight start of six innings while allowing one run or fewer. The 30-year-old has been a regular member of the rotation since the end of June and has a 3.44 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 59:24 K:BB in 89 innings across 17 starts this year. His next and possibly final start of the year will likely come next weekend in Cincinnati.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chicago Cubs starters have the majors' 3rd-best ERA since the All-Star break. How improved depth better positions them for 2023. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ approach to Adrian Sampson was simple— and allowed the Chicago Cubs right-hander to be effective. Aggressive, early...

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • DENVERPOST.COM

Wisdom hits 25th homer, Cubs pull away from Pirates 8-3

Patrick Wisdom hit a three-run homer and Adrian Sampson tossed six efficient innings as the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-3

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Christopher Morel - Out of Sunday's lineup Morel is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh.

Impact Morel is hitting .120 over his past 11 games and will take a seat for Sunday's series finale. Patrick Wisdom will start at the hot corner and bat third.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nelson Velázquez - Sitting again Sunday Velazquez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh.

Impact It's the third straight game on the bench for Velazquez, who appears to have fallen out of favor for playing time with a .449 OPS through 15 games in September. Michael Hermosillo is again starting in center field and batting eighth in Sunday's series finale.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Yan Gomes - On bench Sunday Gomes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Impact Gomes is hitless with six strikeouts in his past 16 at-bats and will take a seat Sunday for the second time in the past three games. P.J. Higgins will start behind the plate and bat seventh in the series finale at Pittsburgh.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Drew Smyly - Next start TBD Smyly (shoulder) will not start a game in next week's series against the Phillies, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact He was scratched from this week's start due to shoulder fatigue and threw a bullpen session Sunday. It's unclear when Smyly will be able to return to game action, but we can rule out a start in the first series of next week.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Hoerner - Rejoins lineup Sunday Hoerner (triceps) is batting fifth as the designated hitter Sunday against the Pirates.

Impact Hoerner has been dealing with a triceps injury for the past couple weeks but will return to action Sunday for the first time since Sept. 11. The 25-year-old will be eased back into the lineup as the designated hitter, which pushes Franmil Reyes into the outfield mix.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs vs. Pirates prediction, betting odds for MLB on Sunday The Pittsburgh Pirates take on the Chicago Cubs in MLB on Sunday. This preview includes our best bet of the game.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • PENNLIVE.COM

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score - September 25, 2022 - The Athletic Get real-time MLB coverage and scores as the Chicago Cubs take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at 5:35pm UTC on September 25, 2022. The Athletic brings you the latest stats, scores, and...

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Cubs face the Pirates leading series 2-1

The Chicago Cubs lead 2-1 in a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Miley exits with another injury, Pirates blank Cubs 6-0 Johan Oviedo tied his career high with seven strikeouts in seven innings, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Cubs 6-0 on Saturday night to...

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • DAILYHERALD.COM

Oviedo cruises through 7, Pirates top Cubs 6-0 to end skid

Johan Oviedo tied his career high with seven strikeouts in seven innings, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0 to snap an eight-game losing streak

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wade Miley - Leaves game with oblique tightness Miley exited Saturday's game against the Pirates with left oblique tightness, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact The lefty made it four innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out three, before the injury forced him off the hill. It ended up being a disappointing two-start week for Miley -- he gave up seven runs (three earned) over three innings in Miami on Monday. This could end his season, though Miley's status for his next start is currently up in the air.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Drew Smyly - Plays catch Smyly (shoulder) played catch Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Smyly was scratched from his start Wednesday against the Marlins due to shoulder fatigue but isn't expected to miss any more outings. Assuming his shoulder responds well, he should start Tuesday or Wednesday against the Phillies.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score - September 24, 2022 - The Athletic Get real-time MLB coverage and scores as the Chicago Cubs take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at 10:35pm UTC on September 24, 2022. The Athletic brings you the latest stats, scores, and...

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Justin Steele - Throwing bullpen Saturday Steele (back) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Steele has been sidelined for nearly a month due to a back issue but has been throwing bullpen sessions for two weeks. Although it's encouraging that he's continued to throw off a mound recently, it's not yet clear whether the southpaw will be able to return to game action over the final week and a half of the regular season.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alfonso Rivas - Absent from Saturday's lineup Rivas isn't starting Saturday against the Pirates.

Impact Rivas started the last two games and went 2-for-8 with a run, a steal and a strikeout. Jared Young is taking over at first base and batting eighth Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nelson Velázquez - Heads to bench Saturday Velazquez isn't in the lineup Saturday against Pittsburgh.

Impact Velazquez has gone just 1-for-14 with a stolen base and eight strikeouts over his last five games and will be on the bench for the third time in the last four matchups. Patrick Wisdom will start in right field and bat third.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Hoerner - On bench again Saturday Hoerner (triceps) isn't starting Saturday against the Pirates.

Impact Hoerner will go through normal baseball activities ahead of Saturday's matchup but will be held out of the lineup for a 12th consecutive game. Zach McKinstry will remain at shortstop and lead off.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE