Game Preview and Pitching Matchup
The Chicago Cubs are set to conclude their three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The game is scheduled for July 26, 2026. The Cubs enter the game with a strong recent record, having gone 25-11 since June 10, which is noted as the best record in the National League during that period.
The Pirates will start right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft, who is making his second start of the second half of the season. Ashcraft struggled in his previous outing against the New York Yankees, giving up seven runs on nine hits over three innings in an 8-5 loss. His ERA at PNC Park is 3.68, compared to 4.21 away from home.
For the Cubs, former Pirates prospect Jameson Taillon will take the mound. Taillon pitched for Pittsburgh from 2016-19. He recently returned from an injury that kept him out for over a month, making his first start back after the All-Star Break. In that game, he pitched 4.1 innings, allowing four runs on five hits in an 8-6 loss to the Detroit Tigers.
This will be Taillon’s third start against the Pirates this season. He previously pitched six innings against them on April 12 at Wrigley Field and five innings at PNC Park on May 26.
Recent Team Performance
The Cubs’ bullpen has shown strong performance recently, with a combined ERA of 0.91 and a WHIP of 0.500 over their last three games, totaling 10 innings. During this span, they allowed five hits, two runs, and one earned run, with 12 strikeouts and zero walks.
Offensively, the Cubs had an 11-run outburst on Saturday, bringing their season total to 534 runs, averaging 5.13 runs per game. This pace could lead to 832 runs for the season, which would be their second-highest total since 1970.
Historically, on July 26, 1996, the Cubs hit five home runs and defeated the Rockies 17-4 at Coors Field, with home runs from Brian McRae, Sammy Sosa, Tyler Houston, Leo Gomez, and Jose Hernandez.
Ashcraft has faced the Cubs twice this year, recording a 1.59 ERA and a 1.147 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 11.1 innings. However, since June 1, his performance has shifted, with a 6.05 ERA and 1.416 WHIP, allowing nine home runs in 41.2 innings.
The game will be broadcast on Marquee Sports Network, with radio coverage available on KDKA AM/FM and Sportsnet Pittsburgh.
Betting Trends and Odds
The Cubs are listed as underdogs with moneyline odds of +108, while the Pirates are favored at -117. The run line for the Cubs is +1.5 (-186) and for the Pirates is -1.5 (+163). The over/under for the game is set at 8.5 runs, with the over at -117 and the under at +104.
One betting trend notes that the over has hit in seven of their last 10 head-to-head meetings. The weather forecast for the game indicates warm and dry conditions with light winds blowing out to right field.
Taillon carries a 14.4% barrel rate and has allowed 22 home runs in 72 innings this season. Ashcraft has given up eight home runs in his last five starts and has an average exit velocity allowed of 90.5 mph. The Cubs’ lineup has a 12.4 percent walk rate over the past two weeks.
| Location | PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Date | Sunday, July 26, 2026 |
| First pitch | 1:35 p.m. ET |
| TV | MARQ, SNP |
| Cubs starting pitcher | Jameson Taillon (2-5, 5.38 ERA) |
| Pirates starting pitcher | Braxton Ashcraft (9-4, 3.95 ERA) |
The game is scheduled to begin at 1:40 p.m. ET.
Source: bleedcubbieblue.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.