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Cubs' Happ and Pirates' Olivares: Stars to Watch in Wrigley Field Face-off

As the Chicago Cubs prepare to host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field, all eyes are on two standout performers from both teams who have shown exceptional skills in their recent games. Ian Happ, the Cubs' left fielder, and Edward Olivares, the Pirates' right fielder, are poised to have a significant impact on the outcome of this much-anticipated game.


May 16, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA;  Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (27) is hit by a pitch thrown by Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Colin Holderman (35) during the eighth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Ian Happ has been a consistent force for the Cubs, showcasing his prowess at the plate with an impressive .250 batting average and a 1.25 OPS in one of the previous games. His ability to drive in runs and get on base has been a key factor for the Cubs' offense. Over the last three games, Happ's performance has been noteworthy, including hitting a home run and maintaining a .250 batting average.


On the other side, Edward Olivares has been nothing short of spectacular for the Pirates. In one of his recent outings, Olivares boasted a .500 batting average with a home run and two RBIs, contributing significantly to his team's efforts. His OPS stood at an outstanding 2.0 during that game, highlighting his ability to make impactful plays. Over his last three appearances, Olivares maintained a commendable .333 batting average with two home runs and four RBIs.


May 16, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA;  Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (27) singles during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

While Happ and Olivares are expected to lead their respective teams, other players have also shown potential in contributing to their team's success. For the Cubs, Michael Busch has displayed solid performance with a .333 batting average over three games, while Hayden Wesneski's pitching could be crucial with an ERA of 0.0 from one of his appearances.


The Pirates will look towards players like Connor Joe and Nicholas Gonzales to support Olivares. Joe hit a home run with an OPS of 1.833 in one game, demonstrating his power-hitting capabilities.


May 16, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ (8) celebrates with third base coach Willie Harris (33) after hitting a home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

As these teams clash at Wrigley Field on May 18th at 18:20 UTC, fans can catch all the action live on MARQ network. The game promises not only to highlight individual talents like Happ and Olivares but also to offer an exciting matchup between two competitive teams aiming for victory in Chicago's iconic ballpark.

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