Cubs vs Pirates Prediction 4/12/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, April 12th at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 6-8 this season after they lost the first two games in this series by scores of 0-2 and 3-4. In their game two loss, Chicago erased a 3-0 deficit and tied the game in the ninth, but they blew chances in the 9th, 10th, and 11th in the loss. The Cubs recorded nine hits and they committed three errors, while they were led by Hoerner, Bregman, and Swanson, who all had one RBI in the game. Cabrera allowed eight hits and three earned runs over 5.0 innings, while Thielbar picked up the loss in extras. Prior to this series, Chicago won two out of three against the Rays, but lost two out of three against the Guardians before that. 

This season, Chicago has a 3.24 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP and a .212 opponent batting average, while they have scored 59 runs with a .219 batting average and a .315 on base percentage. Ian Happ has led the Cubs with four home runs and seven RBIs, while Nico Hoerner has added one home run and 10 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Jameson Taillon, who is 0-1 with a 2.53 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP over 10.2 innings pitched this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 9-5 this year after they won game two by a score of 4-3 in extra innings on Saturday. Pittsburgh led 3-0 in the third inning, but they couldn’t hold the lead, before escaping in the 11th inning with the win. The Pirates recorded 12 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Reynolds and O’Hearn, who both had one RBI. Ashcraft allowed four hits and one earned run over 5.0 innings, while Santana blew the save and Ramirez picked up the win. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh lost two out of three against the Padres, but did sweep the Orioles in three games before that. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 3.02 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and a .217 opponent batting average, while they have scored 60 runs with a .240 batting average and a .329 on base percentage. Oneil Cruz has led the Pirates with four home runs and 12 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added three home runs and 12 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Bubba Chandler, who is 0-1 with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP over 8.2 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won each of their last seven home games against the Pirates after going to extra innings.
• The Pirates have lost each of their last six games at Wrigley Field after going to extra innings.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in six of their last seven games following a home loss.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games at Wrigley Field against teams that held a losing record.

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The underdogs have won each of the Cubs’ last four games.
• The Cubs have lost four of their last five games as favorites.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last 11 day games after going to extra innings.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight day games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in each of their last three games at Wrigley Field against opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in three of their last four road games.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Pirates’ last five games after going to extra innings have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Cubs’ last six home games after going to extra innings have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last seven games as favorites.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Pirates’ last six games as underdogs.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Seiya Suzuki has hit at least one home run in seven of his last 14 appearances.
• Seiya Suzuki has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 16 home appearances.
• Jameson Taillon has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances against former teams.
• Nico Hoerner ranks T6th in the league in Steals (5) this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Bryan Reynolds has hit a home run in three of the Pirates’ last four road games.
• Jared Triolo has recorded at least one hit in seven of his last eight appearances in day games against teams that held a losing record.
• Oneil Cruz ranks T6th in the league in Steals (5) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Cubs rank T2nd in the league for hits allowed this season (94).
• The Cubs rank 3rd in the league for runs allowed this season (50).
• The Pirates rank T2nd in the league for home runs allowed this season (9).
• The Pirates rank 3rd in the league for ERA this season (3.02).

Cubs vs Pirates Prediction 

Pittsburgh comes into this matchup looking for their third straight win over the Cubs, but they have scored two runs or fewer in three of their last five games. The Pirates are 5-3 on the road this year, while the Cubs are 3-5 at home. Chicago has split their last four games and they have allowed two runs in three of their last four. The Cubs are starting Taillon, who has allowed three earned runs and nine hits over 10.2 innings, while Chandler has allowed three earned runs and five hits over 8.2 innings. I don’t really trust either pitcher in this game, but the Cubs are due for a win after all of their wasted chances on Saturday. Take Chicago to win here.