First Pitch is scheduled for 1:20 PM CDT (2:20 PM EDT)
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh / Marquee Sports Network (MLB.TV)
Promotion: Ben Zobrist Bobblehead (first 10,000 fans)
Venue & Game Info
This is Game 2 of a three-game NL Central series at historic Wrigley Field. The Pirates took Game 1 on Friday by a 2-0 shutout score.
Weather Updates
Forecast for game time calls for temperatures in the low-to-mid 50s°F (high around 52-55°F), partly cloudy skies, winds out of the east/northeast at 8-11 mph, and low precipitation chance (~47% or less). Expect classic early-season Wrigley conditions: cool air, possible lake breeze that can suppress fly balls or make the outfield play tricky. No major rain delays anticipated, but bring layers.
Team Records & Standings
Pirates (8-5): 4th in NL Central (roughly 1 game back of leaders). Strong 4-1 road mark in recent games and 7-2 straight-up in their last 9 overall.
Cubs (6-7): 5th in NL Central. Struggling at 3-3 at home and 2-3 in their last 5 games.
Recent Team Forms
Pirates (last 5-6 games trend): Mixed but resilient early-season form. They sit at 8-5 after a gritty 2-0 road win Friday. Prior results include a split vs. San Diego (W 7-1, L 2-8, L 0-5) and a hot 6-3 stretch vs. Baltimore and Cincinnati. Pittsburgh has won 4 of its last 5 road games and shows offensive pop when starters go deep.
Cubs (last 5-6 games trend): 6-7 overall and 2-3 in the last 5. They dropped Friday’s series opener 0-2 at home and have been inconsistent offensively despite some power potential. Home games have been closer to .500 but the bullpen and rotation depth have been tested.
Probable Pitchers & Player Matchups
Pirates: RHP Braxton Ashcraft (1-1, 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 11 SO in ~12 IP)
Ashcraft has been sharp early, limiting hard contact and showing excellent command. Limited sample vs. current Cubs lineup, but he has kept runs low (opponents hitting ~.239 against him career in small samples). Key matchup: Pittsburgh’s bullpen (strong early) backs him well.
Cubs: RHP Edward Cabrera (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, 9 SO in 11.2 IP)
Cabrera has been dominant in his first 2026 starts — no earned runs allowed, elite strikeout-to-walk ratio. He throws high-velocity stuff that plays up in cooler weather. Watch for Cubs hitters like Michael Busch (.200, 1 HR in limited ABs vs. similar arms), Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Cody Bellinger (if active) trying to elevate against Ashcraft’s sinker/curve mix.
Key Position Player Matchups
Pirates offense (led by Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, etc.) vs. Cabrera’s high-spin fastball/slider — Pittsburgh has been solid on the road but will need to work counts.
Cubs lineup (Bregman at 3B, Busch at 1B, Conforto, Crow-Armstrong) vs. Ashcraft — Cubs have shown pop but have been held in check lately (only 2 runs Friday).
Early-season pitching duel projected given both starters’ ERAs under 2.25 and the cool Wrigley air.
Injury Report
Pirates
Anthony Solometo (SP): Day-to-day
Jared Triolo (INF): 10-Day IL (est. return early May)
Jared Jones (SP): 60-Day IL (est. return late May)
Oddanier Mosqueda (RP): 60-Day IL (June)
Cubs (more significant impact)
Seiya Suzuki (OF): 10-Day IL (knee)
Matthew Boyd (SP): 15-Day IL (biceps)
Porter Hodge (RP): 15-Day IL (elbow)
Jordan Wicks (P): 15-Day IL (forearm)
Cade Horton (SP): 15-Day IL (forearm)
Justin Steele (SP): 60-Day IL (elbow)
Ian Happ (LF): Day-to-day
Additional: Phil Maton (RP) on IL with knee tendinitis
Cubs are shorthanded in the rotation and bullpen, which could stretch their depth if Ashcraft goes deep.
Series History
All-time: Cubs hold a slight historical edge (roughly 1287-1317-17). In recent seasons (e.g., 2025), Chicago dominated head-to-head (10-3). Pittsburgh is 1-5 straight-up in its last 6 meetings with the Cubs but has looked improved this year, winning Friday’s low-scoring affair 2-0. This series is early but important for NL Central positioning.
Betting Trends
Total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh’s last 9 games.
Pirates are 7-2 SU in last 9 and 4-1 SU in last 5 road games.
Pittsburgh is 1-5 SU in last 6 vs. Cubs.
Cubs are 3-2 last 5 but 2-3 ATS and have gone OVER in only 3 of last 6 home games.
Both teams show early-season totals trending slightly under in pitcher-friendly matchups.
Game Odds
Pittsburgh Pirates 6.5
Chicago Cubs – 156
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 10, 2026
