- Game: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs
- Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
- Broadcast: Marquee
- Odds/Point Spread: Pittsburgh (+106) Chicago (-128)
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This Saturday, Wrigley Field will be the battleground as the Chicago Cubs (81-66) face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates (74-73). The odds for this matchup show the Pirates at +106 and the Cubs at -128, with an over/under total of 8.5. Anticipated starters for this game are Paul Skenes for the Pirates and Clay Holmes for the Cubs.
The Pirates have amassed 222 doubles and hit 168 home runs as a team this season. With a slugging percentage of .403, the Pirates have struck out 1,376 times and drawn 520 walks. Averaging 4.8 runs per game, they rank 5th in the league, boasting a total of 676 RBIs and 1,280 hits, with a batting average of .253. They’ve scored 709 runs and hold an on-base percentage of .331.
Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has recorded a team ERA of 4.13 this season (15th overall), with 1,357 strikeouts tallied. They have allowed 141 home runs and have surrendered a total of 673 runs (ranking 20th in MLB). The pitching unit has issued 532 walks, leading to a FIP of 3.82. The Pirates have given up 1,169 hits (8.0 per 9 innings) and have a K/BB ratio of 2.55, alongside a WHIP of 1.30.
This season, Pirates pitchers have faced runners on base 123 times and have entered high-leverage situations 140 times. The bullpen has a total of 69 holds (25th in MLB), with a save percentage of 60.0% across 126 save opportunities, converting 33 of 55 chances. They have inherited 180 runners, with 31.7% scoring against them. In total, 479 relievers have taken the mound this season.
The Pirates have converted 69.0% of balls in play into outs over 11,820 innings, placing them 26th in the league. On defense, they have accumulated 3,940 putouts, 1,161 assists, and committed 91 errors, resulting in a fielding percentage of .982, which ranks 26th in baseball, with 119 double plays turned.
Skenes has pitched 475 innings in his MLB career, notching 567 strikeouts. With a career record of 31-24, he boasts a FIP of 2.54, having faced 1,887 batters. His ERA stands at 2.58 (allowing 136 earned runs) with a WHIP of 1.014 and 363 hits allowed (6.9 hits per 9 innings) along with 119 walks.
The Chicago Cubs have hit 203 home runs and driven in 736 runs this season. With 248 doubles and 620 walks drawn, the Cubs have scored a total of 780 runs. They currently have a .339 on-base percentage and a .251 batting average, alongside a team slugging percentage of .429, averaging 5.31 runs per game (1st in the league). They have struck out 1,243 times (12th overall) and registered 1,267 hits.
Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 652 runs, with a 4.22 ERA (615 earned runs). They have given up 221 home runs and surrender 4.47 runs per 9 innings (14th in MLB). The Cubs have a team WHIP of 1.269 and a FIP of 4.71, with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 7.80 (1,142 strikeouts and 449 walks). They sit at 18th in total hits allowed, having conceded 1,216 hits this season.
The Cubs’ relievers have seen 32.7% of 205 inherited base runners score. They have been involved in 142 high-leverage situations and faced runners on base 147 times. They have earned 51 holds and 26 blown saves out of 116 save opportunities, ranking 26th in the league with a save percentage of 55.2%. This season, 471 relievers have taken the mound.
In their 11,808 defensive innings, the Cubs’ efficiency stands at 71.8% (3rd in the majors). They have executed 113 double plays and their fielding percentage is impressive at .990 (1st in baseball). The Cubs have recorded 1,387 assists, committed 54 errors, and have a total of 3,936 putouts this year.
Holmes, holding a 38-33 win-loss record in his career, has an ERA of 3.64 and allows 7.8 hits per 9 innings. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is 2.20, having faced 2,302 batters during his professional baseball journey. He has given up 217 earned runs, standing with a WHIP of 1.293 and a FIP of 3.6. To date, Holmes has permitted 462 hits while registering 509 strikeouts over 536 innings.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s MLB matchup against the spread or moneyline?
Pick: Back Pittsburgh (+106)
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