Pirates vs Cubs Prediction 7/26/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Cubs prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, July 26th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 53-52 this season after they lost the first two games in this series by scores of 2-3 and 0-11. In game two, Pittsburgh fell behind in the fifth inning and never scored any runs in the shutout loss. The Pirates recorded five hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Valdez, who went 1-3 with one walk. Skenes allowed six hits and five earned runs over 5.1 innings for the loss, while Mattson allowed three earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh lost two out of three against the Yankees, but did win two out of three against the Guardians before that. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.30 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and a .240 opponent batting average, while they have scored 545 runs with a .259 batting average and a .337 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 21 home runs and 65 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added 16 home runs and 64 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Braxton Ashcraft, who is 9-4 with a 3.95 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP over 116.1 innings pitched this season. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 59-45 this year after they won game two by a score of 11-0 on Saturday night. Chicago scored three runs in the fifth and five in the sixth, before cruising to the easy win. The Cubs recorded 16 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Crow-Armstrong, who went 4-5 with one home run and three RBIs. Imanaga allowed four hits and zero earned runs over 6.0 innings for the win, while Assad got the three inning save. Prior to this series, Chicago lost two out of three against the Tigers, but did win two out of three against the Twins before that. 

This season, Chicago has a 4.19 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and a .245 opponent batting average, while they have scored 534 runs with a .246 batting average and a .339 on base percentage. Dansby Swanson has led the Cubs with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs, while Ian Happ has added 18 home runs and 45 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Jameson Taillon, who is 2-5 with a 5.38 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP over 72.0 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Pirates have won each of their last seven day games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have covered the run line each of their last five day games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five day games against the Pirates following a win.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in five of their last six day games against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in each of their last four day games.

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Pirates have lost each of their last seven games as favorites against the Cubs following a loss.
• The Cubs have won 11 of their last 12 games as road underdogs against the Pirates.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven games as favorites against the Cubs following a loss.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last six games as underdogs.
• The Cubs have won the first inning in four of their last five day games.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Pirates’ last nine games as favorites against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Each of the Cubs’ last four games as underdogs against the Pirates have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of Braxton Ashcraft’s last six appearances as a starter.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in nine of the Cubs’ last 10 games as underdogs.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Esmerlyn Valdez has hit at least one home run in three of the Pirates’ last four day games against NL opponents that held a winning record.
• Braxton Ashcraft has recorded six or more strikeouts in eight of his last nine appearances in day games.
• Nick Gonzales has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last nine games.
• Braxton Ashcraft has recorded a win in six of his last eight appearances with the Pirates as favorites.
• Nick Gonzales ranks 4th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.311) this season.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Pete Crow-Armstrong has hit a home run in each of the Cubs’ last two games.
• Jameson Taillon has recorded five or more strikeouts in eight of his last 10 appearances at PNC Park against opponents that held a winning record.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last eight games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Jameson Taillon has recorded a win in three of his last four road appearances against former teams.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks T4th in the league in Steals (26) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (946).
• The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (946).
• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (455).
• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (455).

Pirates vs Cubs Prediction 

Pittsburgh comes into this matchup on a three game losing streak and they have scored two total runs during those three games. The Pirates are 27-26 at home this year, while the Cubs are 29-23 on the road. Chicago has won three of their last four games and they have allowed two runs or fewer in all three of those wins. The Cubs are starting Taillon, who has allowed 4, 1, 2, 4, and 4 earned runs in his last five starts, while Ashcraft has allowed 5+ earned runs in three of his last four outings. Take the over here.