Chicago Cubs Lineup (4/10/26): Hoerner Leads Off, Suzuki Returns in RF, Imanaga Starting

The Cubs look to build on their recent success as they take on the Pirates at Wrigley Field.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:10pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors representing the Cubs and Pirates uniforms.The Cubs and Pirates square off in a battle of contrasting styles, with Imanaga's power pitching and Suzuki's return to the lineup adding intrigue to the matchup.Chicago Today

The Chicago Cubs are set to face the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field, with Nico Hoerner leading off and Seiya Suzuki returning to the lineup in right field. Shota Imanaga will take the mound for the Cubs, looking to build on his strong recent outing. The Cubs are hoping to continue their momentum after a couple of wins earlier this week, while the Pirates will counter with right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski, who has made some interesting adjustments to his repertoire this season.

Why it matters

The Cubs are looking to establish a winning streak and continue their climb in the NL Central standings. Imanaga's performance will be crucial, as the team looks to get consistent production from their starting rotation. Suzuki's return to the lineup also provides a boost to the Cubs' offense.

The details

Nico Hoerner will lead off and play second base, with Michael Busch batting second and Alex Bregman third. Ian Happ returns to left field after missing a couple of games with a heel bruise. Seiya Suzuki, who has been out with a sprained knee, will make his first start of the season in right field. Pete Crow-Armstrong will be in center, and Carson Kelly will catch. Moises Ballesteros will serve as the designated hitter, and Dansby Swanson will play shortstop.

  • The game is scheduled to start at 1:20 PM CT on April 10, 2026.
  • The wind will be blowing in from left and center at around 10 mph for most of the afternoon before shifting a little more right-to-left as the game wears on.

The players

Nico Hoerner

The Cubs' second baseman and leadoff hitter, who has been a consistent presence at the top of the lineup.

Seiya Suzuki

The Cubs' right fielder, who is making his first start of the season after missing time with a sprained knee.

Shota Imanaga

The Cubs' starting pitcher, who is looking to build on a strong outing against the Guardians in his previous start.

Carmen Mlodzinski

The Pirates' starting pitcher, who has made some interesting adjustments to his repertoire this season, including increasing his use of the splitter and curve while decreasing his slider.

Michael Busch

The Cubs' second baseman, batting in the second spot in the lineup.

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What they’re saying

“Whew, it's finally Friday. This week feels like one of those that has alternately flown and dragged, but we made it to this point one way or the other.”

— Evan Altman, Author

“Sometimes, you just need a wakeup call. We saw that with the Cubs earlier in the week when the offense sputtered in back-to-back losses. They seem to have bounced back nicely with their first set of consecutive wins, aided by Nico Hoerner leading off twice against righties.”

— Evan Altman, Author

What’s next

The Cubs will look to build on their recent success and establish a winning streak as they continue their series against the Pirates at Wrigley Field.

The takeaway

The Cubs are hoping that Imanaga's strong pitching, Suzuki's return to the lineup, and Hoerner's continued production at the top of the order will help them secure a victory and continue their climb in the NL Central standings.