- Matchup: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs
- Event Date: Friday, September 11, 2026
- Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
- Broadcast: Marquee Network
- Betting Odds: Pittsburgh (+132) Chicago (-160)
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The Pittsburgh Pirates (73-73) are set to visit Wrigley Field this Friday to face off against the Chicago Cubs (81-66). Betting odds place Pittsburgh at +132, while Chicago opens at -160. The total run line has been established at 8.5. Scheduled to pitch are Braxton Ashcraft and Shota Imanaga.
As a unit, the Pittsburgh Pirates are averaging 4.8 runs per game, placing them 5th in Major League Baseball. They have accumulated a total of 707 runs with an on-base percentage of .331. The Pirates have notched 221 doubles and launched 167 home runs. They stand with 674 RBIs and 1,273 total hits this season, resulting in a batting average of .254. Additionally, Pittsburgh boasts a slugging percentage of .403, having struck out 1,370 times while drawing walks 519 times.
This season, the Pirates have achieved a team earned run average of 4.15, positioning them 16th in the MLB. Their pitching squad has struck out 1,346 batters but has also allowed 141 home runs and 673 runs overall (20th in the league). With a FIP of 3.84, the pitching staff has issued 530 walks. Across the season, Pittsburgh has given up 1,167 hits (8.1 per 9 innings) and 602 earned runs. Their strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at 2.54, and they maintain a WHIP of 1.30.
Pirates’ relief pitchers hold a save percentage of 59.3% from 124 opportunities, accumulating 32 saves while failing to convert 22. This season, they have inherited 180 base runners and have seen 31.7% of them score. Pittsburgh’s bullpen has faced runners in scoring positions 138 times during high-leverage situations, dispatching 477 relief pitchers to the mound and achieving 68 holds (25th in the league).
Pittsburgh has recorded 3,913 putouts, 1,158 assists, and 90 errors so far. Their fielding percentage is .983, which ranks 26th in the MLB. They have successfully turned 119 double plays and converted 68.9% of balls in play into outs over the course of 11,739 innings, placing them again at 26th in the majors.
Ashcraft, with an 18-10 career record, has compiled a FIP of 3.33 while facing 959 hitters in his tenure. He has surrendered 208 hits (8.0 hits per 9 innings) and issued 59 walks, maintaining an ERA of 3.38 (88 earned runs) and a WHIP of 1.140. Over 234 innings pitched, he has racked up 244 strikeouts in his MLB journey.
The Cubs lead the league with a team slugging percentage of .429 and average 5.31 runs per game. They have recorded 248 doubles, obtained 620 walks, and scored 780 runs. Chicago has also hit 203 home runs and secured 736 RBIs while striking out 1,243 times (11th in MLB) with 1,267 hits. Their on-base percentage stands at .339 along with a team batting average of .251 this season.
As a pitching unit, the Cubs have a WHIP of 1.269 and a FIP of 4.71. They rank 18th in the league with 1,216 hits allowed. The Chicago pitching staff has given up a total of 652 runs, leading to a team ERA of 4.22 (615 earned runs). Sporting a K/BB ratio of 7.80 (1,142 strikeouts to 449 walks), they have allowed 221 home runs, yielding 4.47 runs per 9 innings, which puts them at 13th in the MLB.
The Cubs have faced 116 save scenarios, earning 51 holds while letting 26 slip away. They have called upon their relief pitchers in 58 save chances, successfully converting 32. Chicago’s bullpen pitchers have a 32.7% inherited score percentage from 205 inherited runners. They have entered 142 high-pressure situations and have also had 147 instances with base runners aboard. Their current save rate is 55.2%, ranking 26th in the league, having utilized 471 relief pitchers this season.
Defensively, the Cubs have played 11,808 innings, achieving a defensive efficiency of 71.8% (3rd in MLB). They have successfully turned 113 double plays and achieved a fielding percentage of .990 (1st in the sport). Chicago has logged 1,387 assists, with 54 errors and 3,936 putouts this season.
In his professional career, Imanaga has given up 406 hits while notching 443 strikeouts in 474 innings pitched. He has permitted 184 earned runs, holding a WHIP of 1.044 and a FIP of 3.4. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is 4.98 as he has faced a total of 1,898 opposition hitters in his career. With a 33-21 win-loss record, Imanaga has a 3.49 ERA, allowing 7.7 hits per nine innings.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s MLB contest against the spread or moneyline?
Prediction: Back Pittsburgh (+132)
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