Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Prediction for Tuesday May 26 2026
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The Chicago Cubs travel to PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to face the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET. The matchup will air on MLB.TV as the Cubs attempt to snap a difficult losing streak against a Pirates team that has been playing improved baseball recently. Pittsburgh enters the game with the edge in the matchup predictor at 62.5 percent while Chicago sits at 37.5 percent. Be sure to check out our free MLB picks.
Starting Pitchers for Tuesday Night in Pittsburgh
Chicago has not yet announced a starting pitcher for this matchup. Pittsburgh will hand the ball to Braxton Ashcraft, who enters with a 3-2 record, a 2.89 ERA, and an impressive 1.03 WHIP across 62.1 innings pitched. Ashcraft has allowed 48 hits while striking out 65 batters and surrendering six home runs this season.
Cubs Searching for Answers After Rough Stretch
Chicago enters this game with a 29-24 overall record and an 11-13 record away from home this season. The Cubs recently lost to Houston by scores of 8-5, 3-0, and 4-2 after previously recently lost to Milwaukee 5-0 and 5-2. Chicago has now dropped five straight games entering Tuesday night’s matchup and has struggled to generate consistent offense during this stretch.
The Cubs are batting .238 as a team with 253 runs scored and 424 hits this season. Chicago has also produced 60 home runs while posting a .336 on-base percentage and a .389 slugging percentage. On the mound, the Cubs carry a 4.12 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while limiting opponents to a .236 batting average. Chicago pitchers have recorded 425 strikeouts while issuing 162 walks this season.
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One area that still stands out positively for Chicago is power production. The Cubs have hit 60 home runs this season and continue showing patience at the plate with a .336 on-base percentage. However, the offense has cooled off recently during the five-game losing streak, and the team has scored only nine total runs during the last four games combined.
Pirates Bringing Momentum Back Home
Pittsburgh enters this matchup with a 27-26 overall record and a balanced 13-13 mark at home this season. The Pirates recently won over Toronto 4-1 after recently lost to the Blue Jays 5-2 and 6-2. Before that, Pittsburgh recently won over St. Louis by scores of 6-2 and 7-0. The Pirates have won three of their last five games overall and continue to play solid baseball entering this home series.
The Pirates are batting .249 as a team while scoring 256 runs and collecting 459 hits this season. Pittsburgh has also added 55 home runs with a .332 on-base percentage and a .386 slugging percentage. Defensively and on the mound, the Pirates own a 3.84 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while holding opponents to a .226 batting average. Pittsburgh pitchers have also generated 472 strikeouts this season.
One of Pittsburgh’s biggest strengths entering this game has been its overall pitching consistency. The Pirates own the lower ERA and opponent batting average compared to Chicago while also recording more strikeouts. Pittsburgh has also shown the ability to limit scoring lately after allowing only 14 total runs across the last five games combined.
Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Prediction
Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Pick
- Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates Moneyline
Pittsburgh enters this matchup with the better recent form and a strong pitching advantage heading into Tuesday night. The Pirates have won three of their last five games while Chicago has dropped five straight contests. Pittsburgh also owns the stronger ERA and opponent batting average entering the game, and Braxton Ashcraft has been effective all season with a 2.89 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. With the Cubs offense struggling lately, the Pirates look positioned to take advantage at home.
Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Total Pick
- Pick: Under 8
I like the under in this matchup because both teams have recently been involved in lower-scoring games. Chicago recently lost games by scores of 3-0, 4-2, 5-0, and 5-2, while Pittsburgh recently won games by scores of 4-1, 6-2, and 7-0. The Pirates also enter with one of the better pitching profiles in this matchup, and Chicago’s offense has cooled significantly during the current losing streak.
Final Score Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates 4 – Chicago Cubs 2
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Monday.
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