The Chicago Cubs head to PNC Park on Friday, July 24, 2026, for a 6:40 PM ET matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Matthew Boyd gets the ball for Chicago opposite Pittsburgh's Jared Jones in what shapes up as an interesting pitching duel. With the regular season deep into its second half, every game in a divisional context carries weight — the Cubs will want to take care of business on the road and keep pace in the NL Central standings.

Starting Pitching Matchup: Boyd vs. Jones

Matthew Boyd draws the start for the Cubs. The left-hander has been a key part of Chicago's rotation, and his command and ability to work deep into games will be tested on the road against a Pittsburgh lineup that can make you pay for mistakes. Boyd's effectiveness hinges on keeping his pitch count manageable early and trusting his secondary offerings when ahead in counts.

Jared Jones takes the hill for Pittsburgh. The young Pirates right-hander has shown he can compete against top lineups, and facing a Cubs order with this much offensive firepower will be a genuine test. How Jones handles the middle of Chicago's lineup — and whether he can limit traffic on the bases — will go a long way toward deciding this one.

Cubs Lineup: A Dangerous Order Top to Bottom

Manager David Ross has constructed a lineup with genuine threats throughout. Pete Crow-Armstrong leads off in center field, setting the table with his speed and on-base ability. Seiya Suzuki follows in the two-hole, and Michael Busch slots in at first base in the three spot. Alex Bregman bats cleanup at third base, providing one of the more credible middle-of-the-order presences in the National League. Ian Happ bats fifth in left field, with Nico Hoerner at second base batting sixth. Pedro Ramírez handles the DH slot at seven, Carson Kelly catches and hits eighth, and Dansby Swanson rounds out the order at shortstop.

Pirates Lineup: Reynolds Is the Threat to Watch

Pittsburgh counters with a lineup built around Bryan Reynolds in the three spot in left field. Reynolds is the kind of hitter who can single-handedly change a game, and Boyd will need a plan against him early and often. Nick Gonzales bats second at third base, while the Pirates have some pop in the middle with Marcell Ozuna at DH and Esmerlyn Valdez batting fourth in right field. Henry Davis catches and hits ninth, bringing athleticism and pop off the bench at the bottom of the order.

Keys to Watch

• Boyd's command early: If Boyd can establish his fastball and keep Jones and the Pirates' offense off-balance through the first three innings, the Cubs have a strong chance to control the game's tempo.
• Bregman and Happ vs. Jones: The four and five hitters in Chicago's order need to come up big. If Jones keeps them quiet, the Cubs will need production from elsewhere to generate runs.
• PCA on the bases: Pete Crow-Armstrong's ability to create havoc on the basepaths can flip field position and put pressure on Jones before the heart of the order comes up.
• Pittsburgh's bullpen: If Jones labors early, the Pirates' bullpen becomes a factor. Chicago needs to exploit any matchup advantages late in the game.

Prediction

This is a winnable road game for Chicago. Boyd has the profile to handle a lineup like Pittsburgh's if he's locating his pitches, and the Cubs' offense — with Bregman anchoring a lineup that has legitimate threats from top to bottom — should generate enough to get the job done. Cubs win, 5-3.