Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates

Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates (2026-07-26). Jameson Taillon vs Braxton Ashcraft at PNC Park.

Starters — Taillon has a 5.38 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 72.0 IP with 8.13 K/9, 3.13 BB/9, and a high 2.75 HR/9. His last three starts were mixed: 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 K, 2 BB on July 20; 1.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 K, 2 BB on June 7; and 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 K, 1 BB on June 2. The trend is up, but the home run rate remains the clearest risk. Ashcraft brings a 3.95 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 116.1 IP with 10.06 K/9, 2.17 BB/9, and 1.24 HR/9. His last three starts show volatility: 3.0 IP, 7 ER, 2 K, 1 BB on July 20; 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 K, 2 BB on July 11; and 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 7 K, 2 BB on July 4. The trend is also up, though his recent form is less stable than his full-season line.

Teams — Chicago enters with a .752 OPS, 534 runs scored, a .246 team average, and a pitching staff carrying a 4.19 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. The Cubs are 7-3 over their last 10, which supports the idea that the offense is giving them enough margin even when run prevention is not dominant. Pittsburgh has a slightly better .757 OPS, 545 runs scored, and a .259 team average, but the staff has been a bit looser overall with a 4.30 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. The Pirates are 5-5 in their last 10, and their profile suggests a balanced club that has hit a little better than Chicago while getting slightly less efficient work from the full pitching group.