The stage was set for a classic National League Central showdown as the Chicago Cubs rolled into PNC Park to take on the surging Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, July 24, 2026. As the first pitch soared through the warm evening air at 6:40 p.m. Eastern Time, fans from both sides braced themselves for a series opener that carried significant playoff implications. With the Cubs clinging to second place in the division and the Pirates hot on their heels, just 4.5 games back, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.
Coming off a tough series loss to the Detroit Tigers, the Cubs entered the contest with a 57-45 record, desperately needing to avoid losing more ground in the NL Central. The Pirates, meanwhile, had been playing inspired baseball of late, improving to 53-50 and eyeing a climb up the standings. With division races tightening, every game now felt like a must-win, and both teams had their top arms ready for battle.
On the mound for Chicago stood left-hander Matthew Boyd, who’s been showing flashes of his old self since returning in late June. Boyd’s recent surge has been a bright spot for the Cubs, as he’s logged at least six innings in each of his last three starts and limited opponents to three hits or fewer in two of those outings. His season record of 6-1 with a 4.15 ERA underscored his recent reliability, but there were still questions about his ability to limit hard contact against a Pirates lineup that thrives on power at home.
The Pirates countered with their own rising star, Jared Jones. Don’t be fooled by his 2-1 record and 4.05 ERA; Jones has been electric over the past month, posting a stellar 2.29 ERA and even stronger advanced metrics, including a 2.15 xFIP and 1.86 xERA. His strikeout rate hovers just under 30 percent, and with a fastball averaging 98.6 mph and a wicked slider as his putaway pitch, Jones has emerged as one of the league’s premier swing-and-miss artists. According to recent analysis, “Jones has averaged more than 12 punchouts per nine innings in three consecutive starts, over which time he allowed two runs. He is providing the Pirates with ace-caliber pitching right now and that’s not something I want to challenge.”
Weather conditions seemed just about perfect for a pitcher’s duel, with temperatures in the high 70s and winds blowing inward, giving a slight edge to the arms on both sides. Oddsmakers favored the Pirates at -120 on the moneyline, while the Cubs sat at +100. The over/under was set at 8.0 runs, with most betting experts leaning toward the under, given the pitching matchup and the recent form of both starters.
The Cubs’ lineup featured a familiar cast, led off by the dynamic Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field. Crow-Armstrong has been a revelation this season, slashing .282/.383/.517 with 21 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases across 445 plate appearances. His .900 OPS ranks 11th in the majors, and his ability to impact the game both at the plate and on the basepaths has made him a key sparkplug for Chicago.
Following him in the order were Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch, Alex Bregman, Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, and rookie Pedro Ramírez, who reclaimed the designated hitter spot after a brief absence. Ramírez has been on a tear, batting .314 with 11 hits and 8 RBIs over his last 15 outings. The Cubs’ lineup rounded out with Carson Kelly behind the plate and Dansby Swanson at shortstop. As noted by Inside the Cubs, “Ramírez has made a strong case for continued playing time. Over his last 15 outings, he's batting .314 with 11 hits and 8 RBIs. Ever since he's come up to the bigs, he has genuinely been one of the Cubs' more consistently and timely hitters.”
On the Pirates’ side, the offense has been firing on all cylinders, especially against left-handed pitching at home. Pittsburgh ranks sixth in home runs, fifth in OPS, and first in batting average versus lefties at PNC Park. Key contributors include Bryan Reynolds, who’s notched 14 home runs, 59 RBIs, and 71 runs scored while batting .275 with a .391 OBP. Brandon Lowe brings additional pop with 21 home runs and 65 RBIs, while his .243 average and .472 slugging percentage make him a constant threat. The Pirates’ ability to hit for power could spell trouble for Boyd, who has struggled at times to keep the ball in the park.
Injury reports for both teams were lengthy, reflecting the grind of a long season. The Cubs were without Matt Shaw, Daniel Palencia, Hoby Milner, Phil Maton, Ben Brown, Ethan Roberts, Edward Cabrera, Riley Martin, Porter Hodge, Justin Steele, Shelby Miller, Hunter Harvey, Cade Horton, and Christopher Austin, all sidelined with various ailments. The Pirates were missing Endy Rodriguez, Spencer Horwitz, Evan Sisk, Chris Devenski, Oneil Cruz, Konnor Griffin, and Jake Mangum, with several on the 60-day injured list.
Recent trends favored the Pirates, who have hit the moneyline in 10 of their last 16 games, posting a 27% return on investment. Their hot streak, combined with Jones’ recent dominance, made them a tough opponent for a Cubs team trying to regroup after a disappointing series against Detroit.
As the game unfolded, all eyes were on the pitching duel between Boyd and Jones. The Cubs, with their .236 batting average and a strikeout rate above 25% in recent weeks, faced an uphill battle against Jones’ overpowering stuff. On the other side, the Pirates’ aggressive approach at the plate—coupled with a relatively low walk rate of 5.9% in July—meant they’d need to capitalize on their power opportunities to break through against Boyd.
With both teams boasting dynamic lineups and top-tier arms on the mound, the series opener promised high drama and playoff-like intensity. Would Crow-Armstrong, Suzuki, and Ramírez spark a Cubs rally, or would Reynolds, Lowe, and the Pirates’ bats continue their torrid pace against lefties? The answer was still up in the air as the game progressed, with every pitch carrying playoff implications.
One thing was certain: with the division race heating up, neither the Cubs nor the Pirates could afford to give an inch. Fans at PNC Park and those watching on Marquee Sports Network and SportsNet Pittsburgh were treated to a tense, strategy-filled contest where every out mattered. As the series continues, both clubs know that the path to October runs straight through nights like these in Pittsburgh.