Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Prediction for Sunday, July 26, 2026

The Chicago Cubs visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, July 26, 2026. The game is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET and will be televised on MLB.TV. Chicago enters the matchup with a 58-45 overall record and a 28-23 road mark, while Pittsburgh stands at 53-51 overall and 27-25 at home. ESPN Analytics gives the Cubs a 36.9 percent chance of winning and the Pirates a 63.1 percent chance. The game information lists a temperature of 81 degrees. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free MLB picks.

Starting Pitchers for Chicago and Pittsburgh

Chicago is scheduled to start Jameson Taillon, who enters with a 2-5 record, a 5.38 ERA, and a 1.32 WHIP across 72 innings. The right-hander has allowed 70 hits and 22 home runs while recording 65 strikeouts and issuing 25 walks. Pittsburgh is expected to counter with Braxton Ashcraft. The right-hander is 9-4 with a 3.95 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP through 116.1 innings, allowing 108 hits and 16 home runs while collecting 130 strikeouts and issuing 28 walks.

Chicago Seeks Another Road Victory at PNC Park

The Cubs enter Sunday with a 58-45 overall record and have earned a winning 28-23 record away from home. Chicago recently defeated Pittsburgh 3-2 in 10 innings after splitting a pair of recent results against Detroit. The Cubs earned an 11-2 victory in that series but also suffered defeats of 5-1 and 8-6, with the latter coming in 10 innings. Chicago also recently recorded a 10-1 win over Minnesota, leaving the club with three victories and two defeats across its last five games.

Chicago is batting .244 with 523 runs, 859 hits, and 129 home runs. The Cubs have produced a .337 on-base percentage and a .411 slugging percentage. Their pitching staff owns a 4.23 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP while issuing 314 walks and recording 804 strikeouts. Opponents are batting .246 against Chicago, which has compiled a 23-19 record in day games.

One of Chicago’s primary strengths is its ability to reach base, as its .337 on-base percentage is only slightly behind Pittsburgh’s .338 mark. The Cubs also hold the better overall and road records, and they have won three of their five most recent games. However, the scheduled pitching comparison is a concern because Chicago’s starter carries the higher ERA and WHIP while allowing six more home runs in 44.1 fewer innings than Pittsburgh’s scheduled starter.

Pittsburgh’s Statistical Advantages Support a Rebound

The Pirates enter the matchup with a 53-51 overall record and a 27-25 mark at PNC Park. Pittsburgh recently lost 3-2 in 10 innings to Chicago after dropping two of three supplied results against the New York Yankees. The Pirates earned a 5-3 victory in 10 innings during that stretch but also suffered defeats of 2-0 and 8-5. Pittsburgh recently added a convincing 7-1 victory over Cleveland, giving the club two wins and three losses across its last five contests.

Pittsburgh is batting .260 with 545 runs, 941 hits, and 132 home runs. The Pirates have posted a .338 on-base percentage and a .422 slugging percentage. Their pitching staff carries a 4.23 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP with 373 walks and 954 strikeouts. Opposing hitters are batting .238 against Pittsburgh, and the Pirates have produced a strong 29-17 record in day games.

The Pirates’ clearest advantage is their superior offensive profile. Pittsburgh leads Chicago in batting average, runs, hits, home runs, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. The Pirates have accumulated 82 more hits and scored 22 more runs, while their pitching staff has collected 150 more strikeouts. Pittsburgh also has the better opponent batting average and a considerably stronger day-game record, although its team WHIP is slightly higher than Chicago’s.

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Prediction

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Pick

• Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates Moneyline

Pittsburgh is my side selection based on its stronger offensive statistics, substantial matchup predictor advantage, and favorable scheduled pitching comparison. The Pirates receive a 63.1 percent chance of victory and have a 29-17 record in day games. They also lead Chicago in every supplied offensive rate category and have produced more runs, hits, and home runs. Chicago owns the stronger overall record and recently defeated Pittsburgh in 10 innings, but the Pirates have the more favorable statistical setup for Sunday.

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Total Pick

• Pick: Over

Take the over if the total is set at 8.5. I am leaning toward the over because both teams carry a 4.23 ERA, while Chicago’s scheduled starter enters with a 5.38 ERA and has allowed 22 home runs in 72 innings. The Cubs have scored at least 10 runs in two of their last five games, while Pittsburgh recently participated in an 8-5 contest and scored seven runs in another victory. The supplied offensive statistics also show both clubs with more than 500 runs and at least 129 home runs.

Final Score Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates 5 – Chicago Cubs 4

This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Saturday.