The Chicago Cubs host the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 12, 2026. First pitch from Wrigley Field is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on MARQ.
The Cubs are favored by -135 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Pirates are +115 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 12.5 runs.
Find my MLB picks and Pirates vs Cubs prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Pirates vs Cubs Prediction
- Pirates vs Cubs Pick: Jameson Taillon Under 4.5 Strikeouts
My Pirates vs Cubs best bet is a Taillon player prop. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Pirates vs Cubs Odds
| Pirates Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 +122 | 12.5 -105o / -115u | +115 |
| Cubs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -147 | 12.5 -105o / -115u | -135 |
- Pirates vs Cubs spread: Cubs -1.5 (+122 ), Pirates +1.5 (-147)
- Pirates vs Cubs over/under: 12.5 (-105o / -115u)
- Pirates vs Cubs moneyline: Pirates +115, Cubs -135
Pirates vs Cubs Projected Starting Pitchers
| Bubba Chandler | Stat | Jameson Taillon |
|---|---|---|
| 9-5 | W-L | 6-8 |
| 0.1 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 0 |
| 3.12 / 6.39 | ERA /xERA | 2.53 / 4.67 |
| 4.27 / 5.76 | FIP / xFIP | 5.37 / 5.11 |
| 1.73 | WHIP | 1.22 |
| 0 | K-BB% | 6.7 |
| 36.8 | GB% | 30.3 |
| 102 | Stuff+ | 93 |
| 87 | Location+ | 103 |
Pirates vs Cubs Preview
Action PRO projects Cubs starter Jameson Taillon for 4.50 strikeouts in his matchup against the Pirates this afternoon, giving us an 8.8% edge against the market compared to his current prop line of 4.5, which is enough to lean toward the Under in our system.
Pirates vs Cubs Picks
Taillon has averaged around seven strikeouts so far this season, but his results have been tightly clustered around this number through two starts. He recorded three strikeouts in one outing and four in the other, finishing right around this line each time.
While the raw strikeout rate looks solid early on, he hasn't consistently shown the ability to push past this range, especially without working deep into games.
Against a Pirates lineup that can put the ball in play and limit strikeouts, the margin for error is thin, and Taillon may once again land in that 3-4 strikeout range.
Pirates vs Cubs Best Bet
- Jameson Taillon Under 4.5 Strikeouts
