The Pirates enter the series with the Cubs trying to build on a brief rebound after a difficult stretch. Pittsburgh stopped a four-game losing skid by taking the final two games against the St. Louis Cardinals, then dropped two of three in Toronto before leaving with a win in the finale behind a strong outing from Mitch Keller.
That sets up another important divisional test, and the matchup has already shown how tight these teams can be. Pittsburgh is 2-1 against Chicago this season, but the season series has been close enough to suggest little margin for error in a four-game set at PNC Park.
A rivalry that has stayed close this season
The first meeting came at Wrigley Field on April 10, and the Pirates opened the series with a 2-0 win. Bryan Reynolds supplied all the scoring with a two-run home run, giving Pittsburgh an early edge in the season matchup.
The next game stretched into extra innings, where the Pirates won 4-3 in 11 frames. That was only the third extra-inning victory of the season for Pittsburgh, which shows how evenly matched the teams have been in the key moments.
Chicago answered in the third game with a walk-off single by Carson Kelly, keeping the series from getting away from either side. The largest deficit in the entire set was only two runs, a sign that both clubs have been capable of limiting damage and creating late-game pressure.
What the Pirates need to change at home
The Cubs have often been a difficult opponent for Pittsburgh, and the recent history has not favored the Pirates. The Buccos went 3-10 against Chicago last season, and in 13 games against the Cubs in 2025, they had not scored more than four runs before finally breaking through in their 7-6 win.
This will be the first home series between the teams this season at PNC Park. Pittsburgh also won only one home game against Chicago in 2025, so the Pirates will need a better showing in front of their own crowd if they want to control the series.
Starting pitching could decide the series
Pittsburgh’s expected starters are Carmen Mlodzinski, Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler and Paul Skenes. That rotation mix puts a lot of pressure on the Pirates’ arms to set the tone early and keep Chicago from dictating the game.
Ashcraft’s last start offers one encouraging sign, since he worked seven innings, struck out nine and allowed only one earned run. Performances like that would give Pittsburgh a much better chance to compete in a series that is likely to stay close.
The Pirates do not need perfection, but they do need enough quality innings to stay within reach against a division opponent that has usually given them trouble. Taking at least two of three would represent a useful step for Pittsburgh, especially in a series that could carry added weight in the standings and in the larger rivalry.
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