Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Prediction for Sunday April 12 2026
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The Pittsburgh Pirates, off to an 8–5 start to the season, head to Wrigley Field in Chicago to take on the Chicago Cubs, who are 6–7. As they get set for Saturday’s middle game of the series, Pittsburgh will be looking to keep its bats hot and carry that strong hitting into another matchup against the Cubs on Sunday. Get involved in the action with our free MLB picks.
Pittsburgh vs. Chicago Game Information
- April 12, 2026
- 2:20pm EST
- Wrigley Field
- MLB.TV/Marquee Sports Network
Chicago Form & Recent Results
Chicago heads into this matchup trying to shake off a rough stretch, riding a one-game losing streak and having dropped three of their last five games as they prepare for Saturday’s middle game of the series against Pittsburgh. In Friday’s 2–0 defeat, the Cubs actually got an outstanding performance from starter Shota Imanaga, who worked six innings without allowing a hit or an earned run. He issued just one walk and piled up nine strikeouts, doing more than enough to put the team in position to win. The problem was that Chicago couldn’t turn that pitching effort into runs, finishing the game with six hits and six total bases, but never finding the timely hit needed to break through.
So far this season, Ian Happ has provided the most power for Chicago, leading the team with four home runs. Alex Bregman and Matt Shaw have been the next biggest home run threats, each leaving the yard twice to this point. Nico Hoerner has been the most productive run driver, pacing the Cubs with nine RBIs, and he’s also been their most consistent hitter overall, leading the team with a .326 batting average early in the season. Over their last five games, Chicago’s pitching staff has kept them competitive by allowing an average of just 3.6 runs per game, and the Cubs will be counting on that steady run prevention again, while hoping the bats finally wake up, when they continue this important NL Central series against the Pirates at Wrigley Field.
Pittsburgh Form & Recent Results
Pittsburgh comes into this game feeling a bit of momentum, riding a one-game winning streak and having taken three of their last five games heading into Saturday’s middle game of the series against the Cubs. The Pirates set the tone in Friday’s 2–0 win, where Bryan Reynolds provided the big swing by going 1-for-4 with a home run. He also scored a run himself and drove in both of Pittsburgh’s runs, essentially supplying all the offense they needed. It wasn’t an explosive night at the plate overall, as Pittsburgh finished with just one homer, six total bases and left two runners on, but they made their opportunities count, which is exactly what you want to see in a tight, low-scoring win.
Looking at how the season has unfolded so far, Oneil Cruz has been one of the key power bats for Pittsburgh, leading the team with four home runs. Reynolds has been right behind him in that department, and he’s joined by Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn, with all three sitting at three home runs apiece. Cruz has also been Pittsburgh’s most productive run-driver, leading the team with 12 RBIs, while O’Hearn has been the most consistent pure hitter, pacing the Pirates with a .341 batting average. Over their last five games, Pittsburgh has averaged 3.8 runs per game, and they’ll try to carry over the same timely, “get it done when it matters” approach from Friday as they look for another win against the Cubs in Sunday’s series finale on the road.
Key Stats
- Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz this season: 4 HRs, 12 RBIs, .300 AVG
- Chicago’s Nico Hoerner this season: 4 HRs, 7 RBIs, .233 AVG
Betting Odds & Market Overview:
- CHC -136 / PIT +113
Pittsburgh vs. Chicago Picks and Prediction
The Pirates have started to show some real spark and are beginning to look like one of those sleeper teams that can surprise people this season. They’ve been playing well early on, and they’ll be aiming to keep that momentum going with another win against the Cubs. Meanwhile, Chicago will be looking to protect home field and grab an important NL Central win. On the mound, Pittsburgh is set to go with Bubba Chandler, who’s 0–1 so far but has put together a solid 3.12 ERA. The Cubs will counter with Jameson Taillon, also 0–1 on the season, though he’s been a bit sharper statistically with a 2.53 ERA. Final Score Prediction, Chicago Cubs win 9-7.
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