Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Prediction 4/12/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Pirates vs Cubs Prediction for this MLB matchup on Sunday, April 12th in the third game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Chicago Cubs Preview

The Chicago Cubs have a 6-8 record this season and are sitting in the fifth place of the NL Central. They have a 3-5 home record and are coming off a 3-4 home loss against the Pirates. Their previous three games were a 2-0 home loss against the Pirates, and a 6-2 and a 9-2 road win against the Rays.

The Cubs have a .219 batting average this season, .315 OBP and .342 Slugging percentage. Chicago’s pitching staff has a 3.24 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. Nico Hoerner is the team’s best hitter with a .308 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 10. Ian Happ adds a team‑high 4 home runs.

Jameson Taillon (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs, and he has a 0-1 record, 2.53 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.

Pittsburgh Pirates Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a 9-5 record this season and are sitting in the first place of the NL Central. They have a 5-3 away record and are coming off a 4-3 road win against the Cubs. Their previous three games were a 2-0 road win against the Cubs, and an 8-2 home loss and a 7-1 home win against the Padres.

The Pirates have a .240 batting average this season, .329 OBP and .366 Slugging percentage. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has a 3.02 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. Oneil Cruz is the team’s best hitter with a .345 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 12 and adding a team‑high 4 home runs.

Bubba Chandler (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Pirates, and he has a 0-1 record, 3.12 ERA and 1.73 WHIP.

Pittsburgh Pirates @ the Chicago Cubs Betting Trends: April 12, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Jameson Taillon      Record this season: 0-1      ERA: 2.53
• Home Record: 0-0
• Last 5 against Pirates: 3-1

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won each of their last seven home games against the Pirates after going to extra innings.
• The Pirates have lost each of their last six games at Wrigley Field after going to extra innings.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in six of their last seven games following a home loss.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games at Wrigley Field against teams that held a losing record.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Bubba Chandler      Record this season: 0-1      ERA: 3.12
• Road Record: 0-0
• Last 5 against Cubs: –

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The underdogs have won each of the Cubs’ last four games.
• The Cubs have lost four of their last five games as favorites.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last 11 day games after going to extra innings.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight day games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in three of their last four road games.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in each of their last three games at Wrigley Field against opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Pirates’ last five games after going to extra innings have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the Cubs’ last six home games after going to extra innings have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last seven games as favorites.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Pirates’ last six games as underdogs.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Seiya Suzuki has hit at least one home run in seven of his last 14 appearances.
• Jameson Taillon has recorded a win in four of his last five appearances against former teams.
• Seiya Suzuki has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 16 home appearances.
• Nico Hoerner ranks T6th in the league in Steals (5) this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Bryan Reynolds has hit a home run in three of the Pirates’ last four road games.
• Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one hit in each of his last six appearances with his team as a road underdog against NL opponents.
• Oneil Cruz ranks T6th in the league in Steals (5) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Cubs rank T2nd in the league for hits allowed this season (94).
• The Cubs rank 3rd in the league for runs allowed this season (50).
• The Pirates rank T2nd in the league for home runs allowed this season (9).
• The Pirates rank 3rd in the league for ERA this season (3.02).

Pirates vs Cubs Prediction

The Cubs are 8-3 in their last 11 meetings against the Pirates and are 5-3 in their last 8 meetings in Chicago. 

In this Pirates vs Cubs Prediction, the Cubs are coming as -135 home favorites. The Pirates have won both games in this series but now have to go up against Jameson Taillon who has been very good this season. Both pitchers gave up 3 runs in their previous start and both teams have similar bullpen ERA and runs per game, but the Cubs have been better against right-handed pitching, while the Pirates have been weaker against righties, so I believe that is what it takes for them to bounce back today. Take the Cubs on the moneyline.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Chicago Cubs ML