Pirates Look to Overcome Wrigley Woes in Early Season Clash

Pittsburgh aims to set the tone against division rival Cubs in critical early-season series

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:05pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game at Wrigley Field, with the field, players, and stadium elements fractured into sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, red, and emerald green.The iconic Wrigley Field hosts a pivotal early-season clash between the Pirates and Cubs, two NL Central contenders looking to gain an edge.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to turn the tables on the Chicago Cubs, who have dominated the season series in recent years. After finishing last in several key offensive categories in 2025, the Pirates have gotten off to a strong start in 2026, led by offseason additions Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn. The Pirates will face a tough test at Wrigley Field, where they have struggled mightily, but strong starting pitching and an improved offense have the team feeling confident they can compete with the preseason division favorites.

Why it matters

This early-season series against the Cubs will be an important test for the Pirates as they look to prove their strong start is not a fluke and that they can compete in the NL Central. The Pirates have not won a series against the Cubs since September 2024, and Wrigley Field has been a house of horrors for them in recent years. A series win could set the tone for the rest of the season and show the rest of the division that the Pirates are a force to be reckoned with.

The details

The Pirates (7-5) will send Carmen Mlodzinski, Braxton Ashcraft, and top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler to the mound against the Cubs (6-6) in the three-game series. The Pirates' offense has been much improved, ranking in the top 10 in several key categories after finishing near the bottom of the league in 2025. The Cubs, who were the preseason favorites to win the NL Central, will counter with a strong rotation of their own, including Shota Imanaga, Edward Cabrera, and former Pirate Jameson Taillon.

  • The three-game series at Wrigley Field will take place from April 11-13, 2026.
  • The series opener on Friday, April 11 will start at 2:20 p.m. Eastern, 1:20 p.m. Central.

The players

Don Kelly

In his first full season as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Brandon Lowe

Offseason addition to the Pirates' lineup who has hit three home runs so far this season.

Ryan O'Hearn

Offseason addition to the Pirates' lineup who has also hit three home runs this season.

Paul Skenes

The Pirates' top starting pitcher who will not be available for this series.

Mitch Keller

The Pirates' second-best starting pitcher who will also not be available for this series.

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What’s next

The outcome of this series could set the tone for the rest of the season in the NL Central. If the Pirates can take the series or even just one game, it would be a major statement that they are a legitimate contender. A series loss, however, would raise more questions about whether their strong start is sustainable.

The takeaway

This early-season clash between the Pirates and Cubs will be a crucial test for both teams as they look to establish themselves in the NL Central race. The Pirates' improved offense and strong starting pitching have them feeling confident, but Wrigley Field has been a house of horrors for them in recent years. A series win would go a long way in proving the Pirates are for real and can compete with the division's best.