- Matchup: Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- Scheduled Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
- Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
- Broadcast: SportsNet Pittsburgh
- Betting Odds: Chicago (-182) Pittsburgh (+150)
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The Chicago Cubs (29-26) are headed to PNC Park this Thursday to face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates (29-26). The betting line for this matchup features Chicago at -182 and Pittsburgh opening at +150. The total runs over/under has been established at 8. Starting pitchers expected for this contest are Colin Rea and Paul Skenes.
This season, the Chicago Cubs have managed to score an average of 4.6 runs per game, placing them 9th in Major League Baseball. With a total of 255 runs scored and an on-base percentage of .333, the Cubs have hit 80 doubles and launched 61 home runs. Accumulating 235 RBIs and 437 hits, their team batting average stands at .236. Chicago has a slugging percentage of .385, registering 453 strikeouts while earning 248 walks.
The Cubs’ strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at 2.66, with the pitching staff maintaining a WHIP of 1.24. So far, they have surrendered 76 home runs and 247 total runs, ranking 18th in the league. Chicago’s pitchers have given up 440 hits (8.1 per 9 innings) and 229 earned runs, holding an earned run average of 4.23, which is 19th in Major League Baseball. They have struck out 442 batters and issued 166 walks, sporting a team FIP of 4.41 this season.
Cubs’ relief pitchers have achieved a save percentage of 58.8%, entering 31 save situations. They have collected 10 saves so far while missing 7 of 17 save opportunities. The bullpen has inherited 74 runners this year, with 29.7% scoring. Chicago’s relievers have gone to the mound with runners on base 51 times and have made 51 high-leverage appearances. A total of 165 relievers have taken the field for the Cubs this season, contributing to 11 holds (ranked 30th in the league).
This season, the Cubs have tallied 1,462 putouts alongside 516 assists and 28 errors, with a fielding percentage of .986, ranking 16th in MLB. They have converted 37 double plays and turned 71.5% of balls in play into outs across their 4,386 innings pitched, which places them 7th in the league.
Colin Rea has pitched 660 innings throughout his career, accumulating 537 strikeouts. Rea holds a 41-30 career record, a FIP of 4.38, and has faced 2,800 batters in the majors. His ERA stands at 4.45, allowing 326 earned runs and posting a WHIP of 1.277. Rea has given up 644 hits (8.8 hits per nine innings) and has issued 199 walks.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a team slugging percentage of .391 and average 4.91 runs per game, placing them 6th in MLB. They have recorded 79 doubles and drawn 209 walks, totaling 270 runs scored. The Pirates have hit 58 home runs and earned 258 RBIs, while striking out 511 times (2nd in the league) with 482 hits. Their OBP is .333, and their batting average is .252 this season.
Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has a team WHIP of 1.226 and a FIP of 3.72, ranking 8th in the league for total hits allowed, with 417 hits conceded. They have allowed 236 runs during the season and hold a team ERA of 3.72, with 206 of those being earned runs. Their strikeout-to-walk ratio is 8.80, recording 488 strikeouts against 194 walks, while yielding 47 home runs, averaging 4.26 runs per 9 innings (12th overall).
The Pirates’ bullpen has seen 66 inherited base runners with a 33.3% inherited scoring percentage. They have entered 56 high-leverage situations and 53 times with runners on base. In 54 save situations, the Pirates generated 31 holds and experienced 12 blown saves. With a save rate of 45.5%, they sit 28th in MLB with 182 bullpen pitchers utilized this season.
Throughout their 4,488 innings played, the Pirates hold a defensive efficiency of 70.8% (10th in MLB). With 42 double plays executed, they have a fielding percentage of .984 (25th overall). The Pirates have made 462 assists, committed 32 errors, and achieved 1,496 putouts for the year.
In his professional career, Paul Skenes has allowed 270 hits while achieving 451 strikeouts over 380 innings pitched. He has given up 90 earned runs while maintaining a WHIP of 0.928 and a FIP of 2.1. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is an impressive 5.43, having faced 1,479 opposing batters, with a career win-loss record of 27-17 and a 2.13 ERA, yielding 6.4 hits per nine innings.
Who will secure victory in tonight’s MLB matchup against the spread or the moneyline?
Prediction: Back Chicago (-182)
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