The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates met 13 times during the 2026 MLB regular season. The Cubs won seven games, while the Pirates won six. Chicago scored 69 runs to Pittsburgh’s 51. Their next scheduled regular-season meetings are in 2027, with series at Wrigley Field and PNC Park.
Key Takeaways
- The Cubs won the 2026 season series against the Pirates 7-6.
- Chicago outscored Pittsburgh 69-51 across the 13 games.
- The Cubs finished 2026 at 89-73, while the Pirates finished 82-80.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong was one of Chicago’s biggest offensive stars in 2026.
- The teams are scheduled to meet again in 2027, including series at Wrigley Field and PNC Park.
Cubs vs Pirates: 2026 Head-to-Head Record
The 2026 Cubs vs Pirates matchup was competitive overall, but Chicago finished with the advantage.
The Cubs went 7-6 against Pittsburgh during the regular season. The teams split their early three-game series in Chicago, traded wins during their May meetings, and then Chicago gained ground during the summer and September series.
The final head-to-head record gives the Cubs a narrow edge rather than showing a one-sided rivalry.
2026 Game Results
| Date | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| April 10 | Pirates | 2-0 |
| April 11 | Pirates | 4-3 |
| April 12 | Cubs | 7-6 |
| May 25 | Pirates | 2-1 |
| May 26 | Pirates | 12-1 |
| May 27 | Cubs | 10-4 |
| May 28 | Cubs | 7-2 |
| July 24 | Cubs | 3-2 |
| July 25 | Cubs | 11-0 |
| July 26 | Pirates | 8-7 |
| September 11 | Cubs | 12-2 |
| September 12 | Cubs | 4-3 |
| September 13 | Pirates | 4-3 |
The results show an interesting pattern. Pittsburgh had some of its biggest wins early in the season, including a 12-1 victory on May 26. Chicago responded with several strong offensive performances, including an 11-0 shutout on July 25 and a 12-2 win on September 11.
Who Won the Cubs vs Pirates Series in 2026?
The Chicago Cubs won the overall 2026 season series, 7-6.
That result is especially notable because neither team dominated the matchup. Pittsburgh won the first two games of the April series, but Chicago took the finale. The Pirates then won the first two games in May before the Cubs won the final two.
Chicago also won two of three games in July and two of three in September. The final September game went to Pittsburgh by a 4-3 score.
Overall, the Cubs’ biggest advantage came from their ability to produce runs in several games. Chicago scored 69 runs across the 13 meetings, compared with 51 for Pittsburgh.
Cubs vs Pirates Team Comparison
Both clubs play in the National League Central, so these games carry additional importance during the regular season. The division also includes the Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals.
The final 2026 standings show a clear difference between the two teams. Chicago finished 89-73, while Pittsburgh finished 82-80. Milwaukee won the division with a 103-59 record.
| Category | Chicago Cubs | Pittsburgh Pirates |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 record | 89-73 | 82-80 |
| 2026 NL Central finish | 2nd | 3rd |
| Head-to-head vs. opponent | 7-6 | 6-7 |
| Runs in 2026 matchup | 69 | 51 |
The standings indicate that Chicago had the stronger overall regular season, although Pittsburgh remained above .500.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago’s 2026 offense was one of the team’s biggest strengths. The Cubs finished the regular season with 850 runs and 220 home runs, according to season analysis from Bleed Cubbie Blue.
Pete Crow-Armstrong stood out in particular. MLB’s 2026 statistics list him with 45 home runs, 107 RBI, 119 runs and 41 stolen bases while batting .280.
Alex Bregman also had a productive first season with Chicago, finishing with a .265 batting average, 28 home runs, 93 RBI and an .819 OPS according to Baseball-Reference’s final statistics.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh had several productive hitters of its own.
Nick Gonzales led the Pirates with a .305 batting average in the MLB statistics available for the 2026 season. Bryan Reynolds also provided consistent production, finishing around a .265 average with 17 home runs and a .801 OPS in the final statistical data.
Brandon Lowe was another major offensive contributor. He finished with 29 home runs, 83 RBI and a .802 OPS.
Key Players to Watch
Pete Crow-Armstrong
Crow-Armstrong was arguably the most important offensive player in the Cubs-Pirates comparison. His combination of power, speed and defense made him a difficult player for opposing teams to handle.
His 2026 numbers included 45 home runs, 107 RBI and 41 stolen bases, giving Chicago production in several different areas.
Alex Bregman
Bregman gave Chicago another experienced middle-of-the-order bat. His 2026 season included 28 home runs, 93 RBI and an .819 OPS.
Nick Gonzales
Gonzales was particularly notable for his batting average. His .305 mark made him one of Pittsburgh’s most reliable contact hitters during the season.
Bryan Reynolds
Reynolds remained an important part of the Pirates lineup. His combination of on-base ability and power made him one of Pittsburgh’s key offensive pieces.
Cubs vs Pirates 2027 Schedule
The 2026 matchup is finished, but Cubs vs Pirates will return in 2027.
The announced schedule includes several series between the NL Central opponents. The Cubs are scheduled to host Pittsburgh at Wrigley Field from April 23-25, giving Chicago an early three-game home series. Pittsburgh then hosts the Cubs from May 3-6 in a four-game set.
The teams are also scheduled for additional meetings later in the season. Pittsburgh is scheduled to host Chicago from August 23-25, while Chicago is scheduled to visit Pittsburgh from July 19-21.
| 2027 Dates | Location | Games |
|---|---|---|
| April 23-25 | Wrigley Field | 3 |
| May 3-6 | PNC Park | 4 |
| July 19-21 | Pittsburgh | 3 |
| August 23-25 | PNC Park | 3 |
Game times can change, so fans should check the official team schedules closer to each series.
Cubs vs Pirates: Which Team Has the Edge?
Based on the completed 2026 season, the Cubs have the stronger overall case.
Chicago finished seven games better than Pittsburgh in the regular-season standings and won the head-to-head matchup 7-6. The Cubs also produced significantly more runs in their meetings, 69 to 51.
The Pirates, however, were competitive enough to make the matchup difficult. Their six wins included several convincing performances, such as the 12-1 victory in May and the 8-7 win in July.
The 2027 schedule could make the rivalry even more interesting because the teams will play multiple series throughout the season. The timing also creates several opportunities for the games to affect the NL Central race.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Cubs vs Pirates series in 2026?
The Chicago Cubs won the 2026 season series against the Pittsburgh Pirates by a 7-6 record. Chicago also outscored Pittsburgh 69-51 across their 13 regular-season meetings.
Are the Cubs and Pirates in the same division?
Yes. The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates are both members of the National League Central. They compete against the Brewers, Reds and Cardinals for the division and wild-card positions.
When do the Cubs play the Pirates again?
The Cubs and Pirates are scheduled to meet again in 2027. Their announced schedule includes a three-game series at Wrigley Field from April 23-25, followed by a four-game Pittsburgh series from May 3-6. Additional meetings are scheduled for July and August.
Who had the better 2026 season, the Cubs or Pirates?
The Cubs had the better regular season. Chicago finished 89-73, while Pittsburgh finished 82-80. The Cubs also finished second in the NL Central, while the Pirates finished third.
Who was the Cubs’ top offensive player in 2026?
Pete Crow-Armstrong was one of Chicago’s standout offensive players. He finished the regular season with 45 home runs, 107 RBI, 119 runs and 41 stolen bases while batting .280.
Conclusion
The Cubs vs Pirates matchup produced a close 2026 season series, with Chicago winning seven of 13 games. The Cubs’ stronger offense helped them win the overall matchup and finish ahead of Pittsburgh in the NL Central standings.
The Pirates still showed they could challenge Chicago, particularly with several convincing wins during the first half of the season. With multiple series already scheduled for 2027, Cubs vs Pirates should remain a useful matchup to follow for fans tracking the NL Central.
Sophia Reed edits and reviews language comparison content to maintain accuracy and readability.
