Players To Watch
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Pirates' Olivares and Cubs' Happ to Dominate in Upcoming Wrigley Field Battle

As the Pittsburgh Pirates gear up to face the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, all eyes are on Edward Olivares, the Pirates' right fielder, and Ian Happ, the Cubs' left fielder, who have both shown exceptional performances in their recent games. Olivares has been a consistent performer for the Pirates, showcasing his skills with a batting average of .250 and an on-base percentage (OBP) of .25 over the last three games. His defensive prowess is also noteworthy with a perfect fielding percentage.


May 12, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks (28) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

On the other side, Ian Happ has been making waves for the Cubs with a notable performance in their last game against the Braves, where he managed a .250 batting average and a .75 OPS. Happ's ability to impact the game both offensively and defensively makes him a player to watch in this matchup.


The Pirates have seen other significant contributions from players like Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz. Reynolds hit an impressive 1.000 batting average with 2 RBIs in one of the previous games, demonstrating his potential to change the game's outcome single-handedly. Cruz also made his mark with a .500 batting average and an OBP of .6 in another game, proving his capability as a key player for the Pirates.


May 12, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Jack Suwinski (65) steals second base as Chicago Cubs second baseman Nick Madrigal (1) takes a late throw during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs' roster boasts talents like Patrick Wisdom and Nico Hoerner who have had their moments of brilliance. Wisdom hit an impressive .750 batting average with 1 home run in one of their last three games, while Hoerner maintained a .500 batting average with an OBP of .8 in another game, highlighting their importance to the team's strategy.


As we look forward to this high-stakes encounter between two formidable teams, it's clear that players like Olivares and Happ could significantly influence the outcome based on their recent performances. Their ability to perform under pressure will be crucial as they face off at Wrigley Field.


May 12, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Adbert Alzolay (73) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the tenth inning at PNC Park. The Cubs won 5-4 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Fans eager to catch this exciting matchup can tune into MARQ network on May 16th at 23:40 UTC. The game promises thrilling action as it unfolds at Wrigley Field located in Chicago, IL.

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