Chicago CubsvsPittsburgh Pirates
CHC 11/PIT 0
Things to say
The Cubs blanked the Pirates 11-0 at PNC Park to finish off the series.
01
opener
Cubs just steamrolled the Pirates 11-0. It was over by the middle innings. Pittsburgh never had a runner in scoring position that mattered.
02
key player
Chicago's starter was filthy—went deep, kept the zeroes up, never let the Pirates get into his stuff. Shutout on a getaway day, you can't ask for more.
03
hot take
Eleven runs and it wasn't even that close. The Pirates' bullpen has been getting torched all month and it showed again.
04
deep cut
Pittsburgh's at .500 now, one game under, and the offense got completely shut down at home. That's the tell—no punch through the heart of the order.
05
exit
Cubs are rolling at 59-45. I want to see if they keep the bats hot on the next road trip.
The recap
The Cubs went into PNC Park and left no doubt, hanging an 11-0 laugher on the Pirates on a getaway day. Chicago's arms tossed a shutout while the heart of the order kept the line moving all afternoon, and once they built the lead there was no coming back.
Pittsburgh never got anything going against a starter who clearly got into his stuff early. Eleven-zip on the road is about as clean as it gets.