The Chicago Cubs, sitting comfortably in second place of the National League Central with a 59-45 record, look to continue their strong form as they face the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday afternoon. The game, set for 1:35 p.m. EDT at PNC Park, comes on the heels of an impressive four-hit performance by Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong in Saturday's matchup. His bat has been a key catalyst for a Chicago lineup that averages over eight hits per game in wins.

Pittsburgh, at 53-52 and fourth in the division, has been a mixed bag at home with a 27-26 mark. The Pirates have shown a remarkable ability to win when they keep the ball in the park—sporting a 27-9 record in games where they allow no home runs. That could be a critical factor against a Cubs team that ranks among the league leaders in homers. However, the Pirates will need to overcome a daunting Cubs offense that boasts a 47-15 record when recording eight or more hits.

On the mound, Chicago sends right-hander Jameson Taillon (2-5, 5.37 ERA) into the fray. Taillon has struggled this season, with a 1.32 WHIP and 65 strikeouts over his outings. The Pirates counter with Braxton Ashcraft (9-4, 3.95 ERA), who has been a bright spot in their rotation. Ashcraft, a rookie, has struck out 130 batters while maintaining a 1.17 WHIP, showcasing swing-and-miss stuff that could give the Cubs hitters trouble. The betting line favors Pittsburgh at -130, with the Cubs at +106 and an over/under of 8.5 runs.

This Sunday marks the 10th meeting between these two clubs in 2026. The Cubs have held the edge, winning five of the first nine matchups. For Pittsburgh, Bryan Reynolds leads the charge with 24 doubles, 14 home runs, and 59 RBIs. Over the past ten games, Esmerlyn Valdez has been hot, going 7-for-34 with four homers and 10 RBIs. On the Cubs side, Crow-Armstrong has been a force all season with 19 doubles, five triples, 23 homers, and 59 RBIs. Alex Bregman has also contributed recently, hitting 9-for-41 with three homers and nine RBIs in his last ten games.

Looking at recent form, the Pirates are 5-5 in their last ten games, batting .240 with a 3.94 ERA, but they have outscored opponents by five runs. The Cubs, however, are sizzling at 7-3, hitting .268 with a stellar 2.74 ERA, outscoring opponents by 31 runs. That pitching disparity could be decisive, especially with Chicago's deep bullpen.

Injuries are a major storyline for both teams. The Pirates place Rafael Flores on the 7-day IL with a head injury, while star shortstop Oneil Cruz is on the 60-day IL with a hand issue. Other key losses include Endy Rodriguez (lower body), Spencer Horwitz (hamstring), Evan Sisk (elbow), Konnor Griffin (finger), and Chris Devenski (illness). The Cubs have been hit harder, with Justin Steele (elbow) on the 60-day IL, along with Matt Shaw (hand), Riley Martin (elbow), Hunter Harvey (tricep), Phil Maton (knee), Ethan Roberts (forearm), Christopher Austin (knee), Daniel Palencia (elbow), Hoby Milner (appendicitis), Edward Cabrera (hamstring), Ben Brown (neck), Porter Hodge (elbow), Cade Horton (forearm), and Shelby Miller (elbow). That lengthy list tests Chicago's depth, but they have managed to stay competitive.

As the game approaches, all eyes will be on Crow-Armstrong to see if he can replicate his Saturday heroics. The Cubs aim to tighten their grip on second place, while the Pirates look to climb back above .500 and challenge for a wild card spot.