The Chicago Cubs host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on Sunday, September 13, 2026, with first pitch set for 2:20 PM ET on Marquee Sports Network. Matthew Boyd gets the ball for Chicago against Pittsburgh's Bubba Chandler in a regular season afternoon matchup that carries late-season weight. The Cubs send out a loaded lineup featuring Alex Bregman, Seiya Suzuki, and Pete Crow-Armstrong against a Pirates club that will lean on Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz to do damage. This one matters — every game does this deep into September.

Starting Pitchers: Matthew Boyd vs. Bubba Chandler

Matthew Boyd draws the Sunday start for the Cubs. The left-hander has been a key part of Chicago's rotation and will need to control the Pirates' lineup from the jump. Pittsburgh counters with Bubba Chandler, one of the more intriguing young arms in the National League. Chandler has the raw stuff to keep any lineup off-balance, and the Cubs will need a patient, disciplined approach at the plate to get to him.

Cubs Lineup to Watch

Manager Craig Counsell is running out a deep, balanced order on Sunday. Pete Crow-Armstrong leads things off in center field, tasked with setting the table with his legs and contact ability. Seiya Suzuki slots in second, giving the Cubs a right-handed threat early in the order. Michael Busch at first base bats third, followed by Alex Bregman cleaning up at the hot corner — a premium bat in a premium spot.

Ian Happ in left, Nico Hoerner at short, and Michael Conforto at DH round out the middle of the order with veteran experience. Pedro Ramírez gets the call at second base batting eighth, and Miguel Amaya handles the catching duties ninth. It is a well-constructed lineup with multiple contact threats and enough pop to punish mistakes.

Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup

The Pirates are not rolling over. Oneil Cruz hits second and bats in the middle of a lineup anchored by Bryan Reynolds in left field. Cruz's combination of speed and raw power makes him a legitimate threat every time he steps in the box. Reynolds, batting third, is one of the more complete hitters in the National League and will be a central matchup for Boyd all afternoon. Rafael Flores Jr. cleans up at first base for Pittsburgh, giving the Pirates another right-handed bat to worry about late in counts.

Konnor Griffin leads off at shortstop for Pittsburgh — a young player worth keeping an eye on. Henry Davis catches and bats ninth, with Jared Triolo at third and Jake Mangum in right rounding out the visitors' order.

Keys to the Game

• Boyd's command early: Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds are legitimate offensive weapons. If Boyd can establish his fastball and work ahead in counts, he limits the damage. Falling behind to Pittsburgh's top third of the order is a quick path to a short outing.
• Discipline against Chandler: Chandler's stuff plays. The Cubs' lineup needs to work counts, lay off chase pitches, and force him deep into counts before the middle order does its damage.
• Bregman and Suzuki at the plate: These two are the Cubs' most dangerous offensive threats in this lineup. How they perform against Chandler will go a long way toward determining Chicago's offensive output.
• Wrigley Field atmosphere: A Sunday afternoon at Wrigley in September is a different kind of energy. The home crowd can lift this team, and the Cubs have shown an ability to respond when the bleachers are loud.

Prediction

This is a winnable game at home for the Cubs. Boyd is a proven arm capable of navigating a tough Pittsburgh lineup, and the Chicago offense has enough quality in the order to put runs on the board against a young pitcher in Chandler. Expect the middle of the Cubs' order — Bregman, Suzuki, and Busch — to do real damage in this one. Give me the Cubs in a 5-3 win on a Sunday afternoon at Clark and Addison.