Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Pick & Prediction for 7/26

MLB game preview

The Chicago Cubs visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park for an MLB regular season game. The Cubs have a strong record of 59-45 and sit second in the NL Central division. They have won their last two games and are 7-3 in their last ten games.

The Pirates hold a record of 53-52 and are fourth in the same division. They have lost their last three games and are 5-5 in their last ten games. The game will start at 1:35 PM on Sunday, July 26, 2026, under clear skies.

Chicago Cubs Team Preview

The Chicago Cubs are coming off a strong win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In their recent game on July 25, they scored 11 runs while allowing none. Shota Imanaga pitched six innings, giving up just four hits with no earned runs.

Pete Crow-Armstrong has been key for the Cubs. In the recent series, he went 4-for-5 with three runs and three RBIs. His batting average now stands at .291, and he leads the team with 23 home runs this season.

Jameson Taillon will start the next game for the Cubs. This season, he has a 2-5 record with a 5.38 ERA. He will need to find his rhythm to help the Cubs continue their winning ways.

Cubs vs Pirates Game Day Info

  • Sport: MLB
  • Teams: Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
  • Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Cubs Moneyline +103, Pirates Moneyline -125

Pittsburgh Pirates Team Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been on a challenging run recently. They suffered a significant 11-0 defeat against the Chicago Cubs on July 25th. Despite Paul Skenes’ 11 strikeouts, the Pirates struggled offensively with only five hits and no extra-base hits.

Earlier, on July 24th, the Pirates lost narrowly to the Cubs, 3-2. Jared Jones had a strong outing, allowing only one earned run in six innings. The Pirates managed eight hits but could not capitalize with any extra-base hits.

On July 22nd, the Pirates played a doubleheader against the Yankees. In the first game, they won 5-3, hitting two home runs. However, they lost the second game 2-0, with Bubba Chandler pitching over six innings without giving up an earned run.

BTB Betting Pick

The Pirates are favored on the moneyline at -125, while the Cubs are at +103. The Pirates have a higher batting average and slugging percentage, which gives them an edge. Our pick is for the Pirates to win with a projected score of Pirates 5, Cubs 4.

The total for the game is set at 9.0 runs, with the over at -105 and the under at -115. Both teams have solid offensive stats, and the Pirates’ pitching ranks lower in ERA. We recommend taking the over, as the projected total is 9 runs.