The Chicago Cubs host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Wrigley Field for a 2:20 PM ET first pitch. Clay Holmes gets the ball for the Cubs against one of the most electric young arms in baseball, Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes. With the regular season winding down, this afternoon matinee carries real weight for Chicago, which is looking to stack wins in a crowded National League picture. Pete Crow-Armstrong leads off for the Cubs, while Oneil Cruz sets the table for Pittsburgh. Catch it on Marquee Sports Network or 104.3 The Score.

Pitching Matchup: Clay Holmes vs. Paul Skenes

Holmes draws one of the tougher assignments on the schedule. Skenes has been the Pirates' unquestioned ace and one of the most talked-about pitchers in the NL. The stuff is legitimate — premium velocity, a splinker that hitters struggle to square up, and the kind of competitive makeup that shows up in big spots. Holmes will need to match intensity with execution if the Cubs want to steal this one at home.

Holmes has the experience and the sinker-heavy arsenal to generate weak contact and keep Pittsburgh's lineup off-balance. Getting early outs on the ground, limiting walks, and keeping Oneil Cruz from doing damage at the top of the order will be the blueprint. If Holmes can work deep into the game and give the bullpen a breather, that's a win in itself against an opponent with this kind of starter.

Cubs Starting Lineup and Players to Watch

• Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF, leadoff): PCA at the top sets the tone. His speed and ability to get on base puts immediate pressure on Pittsburgh's defense and gives the middle of the order something to work with.
• Alex Bregman (3B, No. 2): Bregman in the two-hole is a serious weapon. His plate discipline and situational hitting make him a constant threat to do damage with runners on base.
• Michael Busch (1B, No. 3): Busch has earned his spot in the heart of this order. His power potential against right-handed pitching is exactly the matchup Chicago wants to exploit against Skenes.
• Ian Happ (LF, cleanup): Happ in the four-spot keeps the lineup balanced. He sees pitches, works counts, and can drive the ball to any part of Wrigley Field.
• Nico Hoerner (SS, No. 5): Hoerner's contact skills and ground-ball tendencies are well-suited for moving runners and keeping pressure on the Pittsburgh infield.

Keys to the Game for Chicago

• Limit the big inning: Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz are capable of putting crooked numbers on the board in a hurry. Holmes must attack the zone and avoid falling behind in counts that allow Pittsburgh to sit on pitches.
• Make Skenes work: The Cubs won't beat Skenes by swinging early and often. Patient at-bats, fouling off tough pitches, and forcing him deeper into counts gives Chicago its best chance to get into Pittsburgh's bullpen.
• Capitalize on Wrigley's afternoon conditions: A 2:20 PM September start at Clark and Addison can mean wind and shadows that affect both hitters and pitchers. Chicago's veterans know this ballpark — that's an edge worth using.
• Early offense: Scoring first against a pitcher of Skenes' caliber matters. Getting the Cubs on the board in the first three innings forces Pittsburgh to chase the game instead of managing a lead.

Prediction

This is a tough draw. Skenes is legitimately difficult to beat and the Pirates are not a club the Cubs should take lightly on any given afternoon. That said, Wrigley Field on a September Saturday is Chicago's house, this lineup has enough pieces to string together two or three big innings, and Holmes is capable of a quality start if he executes his game plan. Expect a close, low-scoring game that comes down to which bullpen blinks first. Cubs win, 3-2.