The Chicago Cubs visit the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday afternoon to close out a three-game set at PNC Park, and the pitching matchup does most of the talking. Pittsburgh sends out a strikeout arm having a strong season, while Chicago counters with a veteran who has struggled badly in 2026. The Pirates open as home favorites on the moneyline, and our lead play leans directly on that mound edge. Here is the full breakdown before first pitch.
Last Updated: Sunday, July 26, 2026
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates — Time & How to Watch
| Where | PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA |
| When | Sunday, July 26 — 1:35 PM ET |
| TV | SportsNet Pittsburgh / Marquee Sports Network |
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Game Preview
The starting pitching sets the tone here, and it tilts toward Pittsburgh. Right-hander Braxton Ashcraft carries a 9-4 record and a 3.95 ERA into the finale, backed by a strikeout rate above ten per nine innings and strong control. His last outing was ugly, though. He allowed seven earned runs in just three innings against the Yankees, so the bounce-back question is real. Still, his season-long profile is the sturdier one on the mound.
Chicago answers with veteran right-hander Jameson Taillon, and his 2026 has been rough. Taillon owns a 2-5 record and a 5.37 ERA, and his underlying numbers are worse than that mark suggests. He gave up four earned runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Tigers his last time out. You can check the day’s probable starters for late scratches before betting, since a change on either side would reshape this game.
The records tell two different stories. Chicago sits at 59-45 and holds second place in the NL Central, roughly six games behind Milwaukee while sitting atop the National League wild-card race. Pittsburgh is 53-52 and has slipped below the contenders, dropping three in a row entering Sunday. The Pirates are also without Oneil Cruz and Spencer Horwitz, though Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe still anchor a capable lineup. PNC Park, meanwhile, has long played as one of the more pitcher-friendly venues in the league.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
| Run Line | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cubs | +1.5 (-185) | +112 | U 8.5 (+100) |
| Pirates | -1.5 (+160) | -134 | O 8.5 (-120) |
Odds accurate as of Sunday, July 26, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest MLB Odds – Futures – Props
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Cubs | 39% | 61% | Pirates |
See the latest MLB Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Cubs vs. Pirates Prediction — Can Ashcraft Pull Up Pittsburgh?
The load-bearing signal in this game is the gap between the two starters. Ashcraft misses bats and limits free passes, and even after a poor last outing his season body of work stands well above Taillon’s. Taillon’s ERA sits north of five, and his peripheral numbers point to a pitcher who has been fortunate to keep it even that low. A patient Pittsburgh lineup that still features Reynolds and Lowe should have chances to work counts and push across runs against him.
The market agrees, to a point. Pittsburgh’s moneyline has shortened from an open near -123 to the current -134, and the public sits 61% on the Pirates’ side. That movement tracks the popular money rather than running against it, so it is confirmation of the read rather than a hidden sharp signal. On the vehicle, the moneyline is the cleaner choice than the run line. Home favorites do not bat in the ninth when leading, which makes laying -1.5 a tougher path than simply winning the game.
The case against is honest and real. Ashcraft was knocked around his last time out, and a repeat could sink this quickly. Chicago is the better overall club by record and owns the season’s edge in this matchup. Pittsburgh also enters cold, having lost three straight. This is a lean on a starter mismatch at a fair price, not a sure thing.
The Pick: Pirates Moneyline (-134)
Cubs vs. Pirates Prediction — Will PNC Keep the Runs in Check?
The total is the second angle, and the market has already nudged it. The number opened at 9 and has come down to 8.5, a move that leans toward the under. PNC Park supports that direction as a durable pitcher-friendly environment, and Pittsburgh’s lineup is missing two regulars in Cruz and Horwitz. Ashcraft’s swing-and-miss stuff can keep the Cubs’ bats quiet when he is on. At plus money, the under offers value in a spot where the run environment tilts low.
The other side deserves respect. Taillon is very hittable, Chicago’s offense is legitimate, and Pittsburgh’s bullpen has been a soft spot that can turn a quiet game loud late. If either starter exits early, the over becomes live in a hurry. Weighing the park, the line move, and the missing Pirates bats against that risk, the lean is to the under at a price that pays even money. For more of Sunday’s card, see our Diamondbacks vs. Nationals prediction.
The Pick: Under 8.5 (+100)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
Both of Sunday’s plays rest on the same foundation: Ashcraft outpitching Taillon and PNC Park keeping the scoreboard modest. The scenario that cashes both tickets is a low-scoring Pittsburgh win, something like 4-2. Watch Ashcraft’s command in the early innings after his rough last start, and watch whether Taillon can escape the traffic he tends to allow. Bullpen usage matters too, since a short outing by either starter changes the math on the total.
To recap the card: the Pirates moneyline at -134 is the top play, backed by the starting-pitching edge, and the under 8.5 at plus money is the supporting angle in a pitcher-friendly park. Both are leans rather than locks, and each carries a live counter-case worth respecting before you bet.
Cubs vs. Pirates FAQ: Sunday July 26, 2026
What time does the Cubs vs. Pirates game start?
First pitch is set for 1:35 PM ET on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. It is the finale of a three-game weekend series between the Cubs and Pirates, and the afternoon start closes out the set before both clubs move on.
What channel is the Cubs vs. Pirates game on?
The game airs on the regional sports networks for each club. Pirates coverage runs on SportsNet Pittsburgh, while the Cubs broadcast comes through Marquee Sports Network. Local availability depends on your market and cable or streaming package, so check your provider for the correct regional feed.
Who is pitching in the Cubs vs. Pirates game?
Pittsburgh starts right-hander Braxton Ashcraft, who is 9-4 with a 3.95 ERA and a strikeout rate above ten per nine innings. Chicago counters with veteran right-hander Jameson Taillon, who is 2-5 with a 5.37 ERA and has had a difficult 2026 season on the mound.
Where do the Cubs and Pirates stand in the standings?
Chicago is 59-45 and sits second in the NL Central, several games behind Milwaukee but holding a National League wild-card position. Pittsburgh is 53-52, hovering around .500 and outside the top of the race, and enters Sunday having lost three games in a row.