Game Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs close this series at Wrigley Field with both teams bringing real momentum into a tricky day game. Pittsburgh has taken the first two meetings in Chicago, including a 4-3 extra-inning win on Saturday, while the Cubs try to stop the slide behind Jameson Taillon. With the wind expected to be a factor and both lineups showing a few hot bats, this one has the feel of another tight National League game that could swing late.
Game Information
| Date | Sunday, April 12, 2026 |
| Time | 2:20 PM EST |
| Venue | Wrigley Field |
Recent Matchup History
- April 11, 2026: Pittsburgh Pirates 4 at Chicago Cubs 3
- April 10, 2026: Pittsburgh Pirates 2 at Chicago Cubs 0
- September 17, 2025: Chicago Cubs 8 at Pittsburgh Pirates 4
- September 16, 2025: Chicago Cubs 4 at Pittsburgh Pirates 1
- September 15, 2025: Chicago Cubs 4 at Pittsburgh Pirates 0
Why Chicago Cubs Could Win
Chicago could win if Jameson Taillon gives them steady innings and the top of the order finally cashes in at home. Taillon’s most recent stat line in this data set was clean on runs allowed, with 2 hits, 0 earned runs, 3 strikeouts, and 4 walks, so the key is limiting free baserunners. The Cubs do have a bullpen edge on freshness, with a team stress score of just 8 compared to Pittsburgh’s 18, and key arms like Hunter Harvey and Hoby Milner both show as available. At the plate, Michael Conforto reached base three times Saturday and posted a .6 on-base percentage in that game, while Alex Bregman had 2 hits and Dansby Swanson drove in a run. Chicago is also 5-5 in its last 10 home games, which is steadier than its broader recent form, and a cleaner defensive game would go a long way after the Cubs made 3 errors in Saturday’s loss.
Why Pittsburgh Pirates Could Win
Pittsburgh could win because the Pirates are playing the sharper baseball right now and several hitters match up well in this spot. They are 8-2 over their last 10 games and 4-1 over their last 5 road games, and they already have two wins in this series at Wrigley Field. Oneil Cruz is the headliner after a huge Saturday, going 4-for-5 with 3 stolen bases, and Marcell Ozuna has a strong history against this pitching staff with a .444 average and 1.061 OPS in the matchup sample. Bryan Reynolds has also done damage with a .807 OPS, while Spencer Horwitz owns a 1.000 OPS in the same split sample. Pittsburgh’s starter is not fully detailed here, but the lineup form is clear, and the club keeps covering numbers with an 8-2 record against the spread in its last 10 games. If the Pirates get another solid start and turn this into a middle-inning grind, their current form gives them a real path again.
Final Pick
Pittsburgh Pirates ML (+113)
