Pirates enter Wrigley Field looking to set early-season tone The Pittsburgh Pirates, seeking to redefine their relationship with the Chicago Cubs, head to Wrigley Field for a three-game series beginning Friday, April 9, 2026. The matchup marks a critical opportunity for the Pirates to shift their narrative after a historically lopsided 2025 season, during which the Cubs dominated them 10-3 in 13 interleague contests. The Cubs outscored the Pirates 54-26 and hit .256 against Pittsburgh’s pitching, while the Pirates’ offense struggled with a .182 batting average and .523 OPS. The Cubs’ dominance extended to home runs, as they launched 16 compared to the Pirates’ five, and their .740 OPS highlighted their offensive superiority. The Pirates, currently sitting at 7-5 in the 2026 season, aim to break from their recent pattern of struggles against the Cubs. Since September 2024, the Pirates have yet to secure a series victory against Chicago, a trend that has defined their rivalry. Wrigley Field, known for its unique charm and intimidating atmosphere, has been particularly unforgiving to the Pirates. The team’s recent performance against the Cubs has been marked by defensive lapses and offensive ineffectiveness, making Friday’s game a pivotal test of their resolve. Manager Don Kelly, in his first full season at the helm, has watched a team that once led the National League in home runs (117) in 2025 evolve into a more balanced offensive force. Through 12 games in 2026, the Pirates have already hit 12 home runs, tying them for eighth in the league. Offseason additions Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn have been instrumental, each hitting three home runs to spark the team’s resurgence. The Pirates’ offense now ranks tied for ninth in hits per game (8.3), ninth in batting average (.247), sixth in on-base percentage (.#chicago_cubs #pittsburgh_pirates #brandon_lowe #ryan_ohearn #don_kelly
Pittsburgh Pirates' 2026 MLB Season Schedule The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to begin their 2026 Major League Baseball season with a renewed focus on making their first playoff appearance in over a decade. The team’s aggressive offseason moves, which included signing free agents Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna and acquiring players like Brandon Lowe and Jhostynxon Garcia, aim to elevate their standing in the National League Central and secure a postseason berth. The season opens on the road with a three-game series against the New York Mets on Thursday, March 3, followed by a three-game set at the Cincinnati Reds from March 30 to April 1. The Pirates’ first home series of the year will take place at PNC Park from April 3 to 5, featuring a three-game matchup against the Baltimore Orioles. The team then hosts the San Diego Padres for a three-game series from April 6 to 8, with additional home games against the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers throughout the month. April’s schedule also includes a seven-game home stand, marking a significant stretch for the Pirates to build momentum. In May, the team will welcome the Philadelphia Phillies for a three-game home series from May 15 to 17. The month concludes with a road trip to Canada, where the Pirates face the 2025 American League champions, the Toronto Blue Jays, in a three-game series from May 22 to 24. June brings a high-profile matchup as the Pirates host the 2025 World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers from June 9 to 11. The team also has a three-game home series against the Seattle Mariners from June 23 to 25. Before the All-Star Break, the Pirates will host the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers in a series of six home games.#pittsburgh_pirates #brandon_lowe #ryan_ohearn #marcell_ozuna #jhostynxon_garcia
2026 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Sleepers, Busts, Breakouts from Model That Nailed Cal Raleigh's Season The 2026 Major League Baseball season is set to begin in less than 24 hours, with the Giants and Yankees facing off on Wednesday night. As fantasy baseball drafts approach their final stages, experts are emphasizing the importance of identifying undervalued players in the mid-to-late rounds to build competitive rosters. While top-tier picks like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Juan Soto remain the consensus choices, the real value lies in uncovering sleepers, breakouts, and potential busts. SportsLine’s Projection Model, which accurately predicted Cal Raleigh’s breakout season in 2025, has released its latest rankings to guide fantasy managers. The model, which simulated the entire 2026 season 10,000 times, highlights key players across all positions. Raleigh, now a top-five catcher in the model’s rankings, delivered a historic 60-homer season in 2025, proving the model’s ability to spot talent. This year, the team behind the model is sharing its insights, offering cheat sheets and rankings for every position. These resources are updated daily to reflect new trades, signings, and injuries, ensuring fantasy managers have the latest data. Among the standout sleepers is Brandon Lowe, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ second baseman. Traded from the Rays in the offseason, Lowe is projected to be a cornerstone of the Pirates’ lineup, hitting near the top of the order. His 31 home runs and 83 RBI in 2025 marked his best performance since 2021, and the model ranks him as the No. 6 second baseman, ahead of players like Nico Hoerner and Marcus Semien. Despite being drafted at pick No. 113, the model believes Lowe’s production will exceed expectations. For breakouts, Jonathan Aranda, the Rays’ first baseman, is a prime candidate.#sportsline #cal_raleigh #pittsburgh_pirates #rays #brandon_lowe
