The Pirates reflect on a tough 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Cubs on June 15, 2025. Despite a strong start from Mitch Keller, a walk-off sealed their fate.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Mondays in the baseball season can go one of two ways: the excitement of a new series or the quiet contemplation of an off day. For the Pittsburgh Pirates, June 16th was firmly the latter. After a gut-wrenching 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Cubs on Sunday, the silence from the front office was palpable. No trades, no roster moves, no injury news. Just a day to let the sting of a weekend series loss fade and prepare for what's next.
After a gut-punch loss in extras, sometimes the quietest days are the most necessary for a team to reset.
You could feel the win in your grasp. The Pirates jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the very first inning at Wrigley Field, thanks to timely RBI singles from Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz. Mitch Keller was dealing, giving the Bucs six strong innings while allowing just two runs. But baseball can be a cruel game. The Cubs clawed back to tie it in the seventh, and after a tense stalemate, Ian Happ delivered the walk-off dagger in the 10th. Losing 3-2 after leading early always hurts, but a walk-off loss to a division rival is a special kind of salt in the wound. It was a game the Pirates should have won, and that's the thought that will linger during this day off.
The phones were silent on Monday. No press releases, no transaction wires buzzing, no injury updates to worry about. While fans are always eager for a big move, a quiet off day on the health front is always a positive. The roster that left Chicago will be the same one that greets the Detroit Tigers. It also signals continued stability, for now, under interim manager Don Kelly, who has been steering the ship since Derek Shelton's dismissal in May. The lack of movement suggests the front office is taking a deliberate approach, evaluating the current squad before making any drastic changes as the trade deadline inches closer.
Even on the quietest days, some names continue to be whispered in trade talks. The future of ace Paul Skenes remains a major topic of speculation around the league, and while no new rumors surfaced today, his name will undoubtedly dominate conversations for the next month. Looking further ahead, the farm system continues to be a source of hope. Outfield/shortstop prospect Griffin is a name fans should keep on their radar; his elite athleticism and versatility have him pegged as a potential future star for the Bucs. While no call-ups are imminent, days like today are a good reminder of the talent pipeline being built.
One tough loss doesn't define a season, and one quiet day is just a deep breath before the next challenge. The Pirates will be back in action on Tuesday, welcoming the Detroit Tigers to PNC Park. It's a new series and a perfect opportunity to wash away the bitter taste of Sunday's defeat. The bats need to wake up, the bullpen needs to lock it down, and the team needs to turn these close games into victories. Here's to a fresh start tomorrow.
