Pirates Preview: Braxton Ashcraft Gets Another Start at Wrigley

Danny Demilio |

Aug 15, 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates concluded an abysmal series in Milwaukee by getting swept with a 12-5 loss to the Brewers on Wednesday afternoon.

Bryan Reynolds homered twice and drove in all five runs, but Pittsburgh’s pitching staff continued to struggle in the loss.

After a day off on Thursday, the Pirates (51-71) start a weekend series against the Chicago Cubs (68-52) at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon.

First pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.

Weather

Temperatures in the low-to-mid 80s with sunny skies overhead. Winds SE at 7-9 mph.

RHP Braxton Ashcraft (3-2, 3.19 ERA) Will Start for the Pirates

Ashcraft’s last appearance was his second-career start. He tossed a career-high 3.1 innings and struck out five batters while holding the Cincinnati Reds to one run on Saturday.

16 of Ashcraft’s 18 appearances this season have come out of the bullpen, and the right-hander has excelled at keeping the ball in the yard (one home run allowed in 36.2 innings).

The 25-year-old made 10 starts this season with Triple-A Indianapolis prior to getting recalled and went 3-3 with a 5.03 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 48.1 innings.

Ashcraft threw two-scoreless innings against the Cubs at Wrigley on June 14.

RHP Colin Rea (9-5, 4.09 ERA) Will Start for the Cubs

Rea last pitched against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday and allowed one run on three hits in six innings.

In two starts to begin August, Rea has allowed three runs on eight hits with 10 strikeouts in 10.2 innings.

Over his last eight starts dating back to June 28, the right-hander is 5-2 with a 3.53 ERA.

Rea has already faced the Pirates twice this season and is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA (4er/12ip). In his career against Pittsburgh, he is 3-3 with a 5.49 ERA across nine appearances/seven starts.

Cubs Hitters vs. Ashcraft

Ian Happ: 0 for 1
Carson Kelly: 0 for 1
Nico Hoerner: 0 for 1
Matt Shaw: 0 for 1
Seiya Suzuki: 0 for 1, one strikeout
Kyle Tucker: 0 for 1, one strikeout

Pirates Hitters vs. Rea

Bryan Reynolds: 8 for 17, two doubles, two home runs, five RBI, one walk, four strikeouts
Jared Triolo: 2 for 13, one strikeout
Andrew McCutchen: 2 for 12, one walk, two strikeouts
Nick Gonzales: 5 for 9, one home run, three RBI, one walk
Jack Suwinski: 3 for 10, one double, one home run, three RBI, two walks, one strikeout
Spencer Horwitz: 3 for 6, one double, one RBI, one strikeout
Tommy Pham: 0 for 6, one walk, two strikeouts
Joey Bart: 1 for 5, one double, one RBI, two strikeouts
Henry Davis: 2 for 4, one home run, two RBI, one walk, one strikeout
Alexander Canario: 1 for 4, one RBI, one walk
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 0 for 4, one strikeout

Tidbits

Pirates pitchers have an 11.73 ERA (43er/33ip) over their last four games.
Nick Gonzales has recorded at least one hit in 13 of his last 16 games. He’s batting .343 (24 for 70) during that span.
The Pirates are being outscored 47-15 during their five-game losing streak.