Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Predictions for Sunday April 12 2026
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The Pittsburgh Pirates travel to Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, to face the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, April 12, 2026. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 PM ET, and the game will be shown on MLB.TV. The current betting odds list Pittsburgh at +113 on the moneyline and Chicago at -136. At the time of this writing the total and run line were not released. Readers looking for more daily betting insight should also check out free MLB Picks.
Starting Pitchers on Sunday’s Matchup Card
Bubba Chandler is set to start for Pittsburgh, and he enters this game with an 0-1 record, a 3.12 ERA, and a 1.73 WHIP across 8.2 innings. He has allowed 5 hits, struck out 10, walked 10, and has not allowed a home run. Chicago is scheduled to counter with Jameson Taillon, who comes into the game with an 0-1 record, a 2.53 ERA, and a 1.22 WHIP over 10.2 innings. He has given up 9 hits, struck out 7, walked 4, and allowed 2 home runs so far.
Pirates Bringing Strong Form Into Wrigley
Pittsburgh enters this contest with a 9-5 overall record and a solid 5-3 mark on the road. The Pirates have played well over their last five games, going 3-2 in that stretch. They recently picked up back-to-back wins over the Cubs, including an extra-inning victory, while also splitting results in their previous series against San Diego. That recent run has helped reinforce the strong start Pittsburgh has put together overall.
The Pirates have posted a .237 team batting average with 56 runs scored, 103 hits, and 13 home runs. Their on-base percentage sits at .327, while their slugging percentage is .371. On the pitching side, Pittsburgh has been impressive with a 3.08 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. The staff has allowed opponents to hit just .218 and has also recorded 126 strikeouts with 59 walks.
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One clear strength for Pittsburgh is the balance between its offense and pitching. The Pirates have matched Chicago with 13 home runs and 56 runs scored, but they also carry the better team ERA. That combination has helped them build a winning record and has been a major reason why they have looked steady in recent games.
Cubs Trying to Turn the Series Around at Home
Chicago comes into this matchup with a 6-8 overall record and a 3-5 record at home. The Cubs have gone 2-3 in their last five games. They recently dropped two straight games to Pittsburgh after winning back-to-back road games against Tampa Bay. That recent stretch has been mixed, and the home losses in this series have put more pressure on Chicago heading into this game.
As a team, the Cubs are batting .220 with 56 runs scored, 93 hits, and 13 home runs. Their on-base percentage is .314, and their slugging percentage is .355. The pitching staff has been effective overall, posting a 3.32 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP while limiting opponents to a .203 batting average. Chicago has struck out 103 batters and issued 40 walks through this point in the season.
A key strength for Chicago is how well the pitching staff has limited contact and traffic on the bases. The Cubs have the lower WHIP in this matchup at 1.07, and opponents are batting only .203 against them. Even with the recent losses in this series, those numbers show a staff capable of keeping games under control.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Prediction
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Pick
Pick: Pirates Moneyline
Pittsburgh stands out here because the Pirates have been the better team overall and they have already won the first two games of this series. They come in with a 9-5 record, a 5-3 road mark, and a 3.08 team ERA, which is slightly better than Chicago’s 3.32. The Pirates also match the Cubs in runs scored and home runs, while carrying the stronger overall record. With recent wins over Chicago already in hand and plus money available, Pittsburgh looks like the stronger value on the side.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Total Pick
Take the over if the total is set at 7.
With no total posted in the provided information, I would wait for the number before making the total wager. What does stand out is that both teams have scored 56 runs and each club has hit 13 home runs, but both pitching staffs have also been effective, with Pittsburgh holding a 3.08 ERA and Chicago a 3.32 ERA. This matchup has enough balance that the final total number will matter quite a bit, so this is one spot where the posted line would shape the best play.
Final Score Prediction: Pirates 5 – Cubs 4
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Saturday.
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