The Cubs snatched a dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory from the Pirates on Sunday afternoon, with Dansby Swanson delivering the game-winning RBI single in the ninth to cap a late rally. Chicago's offense had sputtered for most of the game against Pittsburgh's bullpen, but Swanson's clutch hit—his second RBI of the day—punished the Pirates' shaky relief work. Ian Happ sparked the comeback earlier with a key RBI single in the eighth, while Pete Crow-Armstrong's two-hit performance kept the Cubs in striking distance despite Javier Assad's early struggles.

Pittsburgh's bullpen, usually reliable, faltered at the worst moment. After Carmen Mlodzinski held Chicago to just one run over four solid innings, the Pirates' relievers combined to surrender three crucial runs in the final two frames. Joey Bart's two-RBI single in the fourth had given Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead, but the Cubs' late heroics—fueled by Swanson and Happ—flipped the script. The win keeps Chicago's playoff hopes alive, while the Pirates leave Wrigley Field rueing another missed opportunity to gain ground in the wild-card race.

When the Pittsburgh Pirates march into Wrigley Field this Sunday, August 17 (2:20 PM ET), they’ll collide with a Chicago Cubs team hungry to defend their home turf in what promises to be a high-stakes NL Central showdown. Both squads enter this late-summer clash with playoff aspirations still flickering—every pitch, every swing carrying the weight of October dreams. The Pirates, riding a wave of scrappy resilience, will look to outmaneuver a Cubs lineup that’s shown flashes of dominance at home, where the ivy-covered walls and raucous North Side faithful have fueled dramatic comebacks all season.

Expect fireworks from the first pitch. The Pirates’ speed and small-ball tactics will test Chicago’s defense, while the Cubs’ power bats—capable of turning any at-bat into a three-run homer—could turn this into a slugfest under the August sun. With the division race tightening and wild-card spots up for grabs, this isn’t just another Sunday matinee; it’s a chance for one team to seize momentum and send a message. Buckle up—Wrigley will be electric.