The Chicago Cubs open a three-game set in Pittsburgh on Friday night, and the pitching matchup sets the tone. Right-hander Jared Jones has been dominant for the Pirates through July, while lefty Matthew Boyd keeps stacking quality starts for a Cubs club chasing a playoff spot. Pittsburgh sits as a slight home favorite at -123, with the total posted at 8.5 runs. Two arms in form and a run-suppressing ballpark point our headline lean in one direction, which we build to below.
Last Updated: Friday, July 24, 2026
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates — Time & How to Watch
| Where | PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA |
| When | Friday, July 24, 2026 — 6:40 PM ET |
| TV | SportsNet Pittsburgh & Marquee Sports Network |
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Game Preview
Start with the arms, because both are throwing well. Jones carries a 4.05 ERA on the season, but his recent work tells the real story. Across three July starts he has allowed just two runs on five hits with 23 strikeouts over 15 innings. Opposing hitters are batting only .100 against him during that run, and he retired 30 batters in a row at one point before Cleveland’s Steven Kwan broke through. His last time out, he allowed one run and struck out nine over five innings.
One caveat matters, though. Jones returned in late May from elbow surgery, and Pittsburgh has kept his outings short. His recent starts have topped out around five innings.
Boyd counters with a 6-1 record and a 4.15 ERA. He has won four straight starts, most recently holding Minnesota to two hits and one run over six innings. Since returning from a knee issue in late June, he owns a 2.57 ERA across five starts. His history in Pittsburgh is another matter, however. Boyd is 1-3 with a 6.18 ERA in eight career starts against the Pirates.
The standings frame the stakes. Chicago enters at 57-45, second in the NL Central and roughly six games behind Milwaukee while holding an NL wild-card spot. Pittsburgh sits at 53-50, a few games over .500 but about 10 games back in the division. Both lineups have hot hands, too. Seiya Suzuki has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games, yet he is just 5-for-24 against Pittsburgh. Nick Gonzales rides a seven-game hitting streak for the Pirates, though he is 2-for-18 versus Chicago this year.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
| Run Line | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cubs | -1.5 (+165) | +103 | U 8.5 (-120) |
| Pirates | +1.5 (-195) | -123 | O 8.5 (+100) |
Odds accurate as of Friday, July 24, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest MLB Odds – Futures – Props
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Cubs | 46% | 54% | Pirates |
See the latest MLB Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Cubs vs. Pirates Prediction — Do Two Live Arms Quiet the Bats?
The clearest signal in this game is the pitching. Jones has been overpowering in July, and Boyd has strung together four straight strong starts. When two starters arrive in this kind of form, run scoring tends to come slowly. PNC Park reinforces the read as one of the more pitcher-friendly parks in the league, with a deep outfield that keeps the ball in the yard.
The lineup notes lean the same way. Suzuki has been Chicago’s hottest bat, but his .208 mark against Pittsburgh suggests these arms trouble him. Neither offense projects to feast in this spot. The market seems to agree, too, since the under is juiced to -120 at a total of 8.5.
Still, the case for the over is real, and it starts with Jones. His roughly five-inning cap hands four innings to the Pittsburgh bullpen, and relievers are where late runs pile up. Chicago also carries more power than Pittsburgh does. That risk is why this is a lean rather than a heavy conviction play.
The Pick: Under 8.5 (-120)
Cubs vs. Pirates Prediction — Can the Hot Ace Hold Serve at Home?
The second angle rests on the same arm that anchors the total. Jones has been the best version of himself this month, at home. A .100 opponent average across three July starts is not a fluke of one outing. The Pirates are a modest home favorite at -123, a price close to a coin flip that leaves room to back the side with momentum.
The counter is worth respecting. Chicago is the better team on paper at 57-45, and Boyd has been reliable in his own right. Jones’s short leash also means the bullpen must protect a likely narrow lead across the final four innings, which is far from certain. Because the moneyline is barely a favorite, this is a slight lean on form and home edge rather than a statement about the clubs.
The Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates Moneyline (-123)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
This is a game to watch through the starters. How deep Jones goes will decide whether the under holds. If he reaches his cap with a lead, the Pirates bullpen becomes the swing factor in both plays. Chicago keeps grinding in the wild-card chase and still trails a Milwaukee club that hosts Colorado on the same slate.
Both picks lean on Jones, and that overlap is intentional rather than a hedge. When the strongest read runs through one pitcher, it is more honest to say so than to force an unrelated angle. For more plays, see our latest MLB best bets. To recap: the Under 8.5 (-120) is the headline play, with the Pittsburgh Pirates moneyline (-123) as the secondary lean.
MLB Cubs vs. Pirates FAQ: Friday July 24, 2026
What time does the Cubs vs. Pirates game start?
First pitch is set for 6:40 PM ET on Friday, July 24, 2026, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. It is the opener of a three-game weekend series between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates, with the next two games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
What channel is the Cubs vs. Pirates game on?
The game airs regionally on SportsNet Pittsburgh for Pirates viewers and on Marquee Sports Network for Cubs viewers. Streaming is available through Fubo, where regional restrictions may apply depending on your market. Check your local listings to confirm availability in your area.
Who is pitching for the Pirates on Friday?
Right-hander Jared Jones is the probable starter for Pittsburgh. He enters with a 4.05 season ERA but has been excellent in July, allowing just two runs with 23 strikeouts across three starts. Jones returned from elbow surgery in late May, and the Pirates have kept his outings to roughly five innings.
Who is pitching for the Cubs on Friday?
Left-hander Matthew Boyd is the probable starter for Chicago. He is 6-1 with a 4.15 ERA and has won his last four starts, including a two-hit, one-run effort over six innings against Minnesota. Boyd has struggled in Pittsburgh historically, posting a 6.18 ERA in eight career starts against the Pirates.
Where are the Cubs and Pirates playing today?
The game is at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the home of the Pirates. The ballpark sits along the Allegheny River and is known as a pitcher-friendly venue, with a deep outfield that helps suppress run scoring. Pittsburgh hosts all three games of this weekend series.