Chicago Cubs will take the field in Pittsburgh on May 27, 2026, as part of the MLB Scores Today slate. The game begins at 6:40 p.m. ET on Marquee Sports Network, and the live scoreboard will be streamed on USA Today. The numbers reveal that Chicago sits two games behind the NL Central lead, making every run crucial as the final stretch of the month approaches.
The Cubs entered the 2026 season with a roster that blends home‑grown talent and veteran acquisitions. First‑base prospect Jared Lane, the 2024 first‑round pick, is now hitting .298 with a .875 OPS, while veteran outfielder Ian Happ (age 33) provides a steady .260/.330/.440 line and 12 homers to date. Their starting rotation—led by Jordan Montgomery (3‑2, 4.12 ERA) and the young right‑hander Matt Miller (1‑1, 3.45 ERA)—has been inconsistent, posting a combined ERA+ of 93 over the first 30 games. The bullpen, anchored by closer Adbert Alzolay (12 saves, 2.57 ERA), has been a point of contention; the relievers have logged a collective WHIP of 1.34, the highest among NL Central teams.
Across the river, the Pittsburgh Pirates have turned a 2025 rebuilding narrative into a competitive surprise. Managed by Dave Lobban in his third season, Pittsburgh’s left‑handed rotation—featuring Luis Cruz (2‑0, 2.25 ERA, 1.12 ERA+), Jace Terry (1‑1, 3.00 ERA, 115 ERA+), and rookie Caleb Henderson (0‑1, 4.50 ERA, 98 ERA+)—has posted a 2.85 ERA+ over the last ten starts, a metric that could test the Chicago bullpen’s depth. The Pirates have leaned heavily on their defense; the team’s DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) sits at +8, the best in the NL Central, and shortstop J.J. Bleday (now 28) has turned 42 double plays, a club record for a single season.
Both clubs are entrenched in a tightly packed playoff picture. The Cubs sit at 22‑20, two games behind the NL Central leader Milwaukee Brewers (24‑18) and a half‑game ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals (21‑21). The Pirates, meanwhile, sit 20‑22, three games back in the wild‑card chase but within a game of the Los Angeles Dodgers (21‑20) for the second wild‑card spot. The importance of a win on May 27 is underscored by the fact that the NL Central is the most volatile division in baseball this season—four of the six teams are within three games of each other.
Why the May 27 schedule matters for the playoff picture
MLB Scores Today shows eight games across both leagues tonight, but the Cubs‑Pirates duel stands out because it directly impacts two separate races. Chicago aims to narrow the gap in the NL Central, while Pittsburgh claws for a wild‑card berth. The front‑office brass in both clubs have emphasized that a win could shift momentum heading into the final two weeks of the month. Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Harrison told reporters after Tuesday’s practice, “We need to prove we can win on the road against quality left‑handed pitching. It’s a litmus test for our offense and our bullpen.” Pirates General Manager Mike Cunningham echoed the sentiment, noting, “Our left‑handed rotation has been the engine of our success. If we can execute our pitch‑to‑contact game plan, we keep the wild‑card window open.”
Meanwhile, a West Coast double‑header later in the evening could reshape the wild‑card standings in the American League, a fact noted by analysts at ESPN. The numbers reveal that teams winning on the West Coast have a 58% chance of securing a wild‑card spot, underscoring the broader relevance of tonight’s slate. In the NL, the Cubs‑Pirates game has a projected win probability of 48% for Chicago according to the latest MLB Scores Today predictive model, reflecting the Pirates’ strong left‑handed ERA+ and the Cubs’ sub‑average road bullpen ERA.
Broadcast details and where to follow the live action
The Cubs‑Pirates game will be televised exclusively on Marquee Sports Network, with a simultaneous radio feed on KDKA. For cord‑cutters, the broadcast streams through the MLB.tv app and most major cable providers, allowing fans to watch on mobile devices or smart TVs. USA Today’s live scoreboard, part of the MLB Scores Today package, will update inning‑by‑inning runs, pitch counts and advanced metrics such as xFIP, wRC+, and sprint speed for each player.
Fans seeking a deeper dive can access the full May 27 schedule on MLB.com, where the numbers reveal projected win probabilities for each matchup. The schedule lists eight games, including a West Coast double‑header that could impact wild‑card races. The MLB.com “Game‑by‑Game” widget also provides a split‑screen view of the Cubs‑Pirates matchup with real‑time probability shifts from FanDuel Sportsbook, which currently lists Chicago as a +120 underdog.
Impact and what comes next for Chicago and Pittsburgh
If the Cubs capture a win in Pittsburgh, they will tighten the NL Central race and give the bullpen a much‑needed confidence boost heading into the final two weeks of the month. The victory would also improve the team’s OPS+ differential, a statistic that the front office tracks closely when evaluating offensive production. Chicago’s OPS+ sits at 106 overall but drops to 98 in away games; a win would push the road OPS+ above the league average for the first time this season.
Beyond the immediate standings, a win could influence the Cubs’ trade strategy. The club has a Clause‑8 buy‑out on right‑hander Mike Miller that would allow a July 31 deadline move if the team remains outside the top two in the division. A May‑27 victory would buy Miller additional leverage and potentially keep the trade chip on the table.
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, hopes to leverage its strong left‑handed pitching to keep the Cubs at bay and maintain a foothold in the wild‑card scramble. The Pirates’ recent ERA+ surge suggests that the rotation could neutralize Chicago’s power surge, a point highlighted in the MLB Scores Today analysis. Pittsburgh’s offense, led by Randy Arozarena (now with the Pirates, .285/.360/.500, 8 HR) and rookie shortstop J.J. Bleday (.310/.380/.540, 5 HR), has generated a wRC+ of 115, the highest in the NL Central. If the Pirates can string together three or more hits per inning—a metric they have achieved in 42% of their games this season—they will likely keep the Cubs’ run total under five.
Strategically, Lobban is expected to deploy a mix of high‑spin fastballs and sweeping sliders from Cruz and Terry, aiming to induce weak contact early in the count. The Cubs will likely counter with a “small ball” approach—bunting, hit‑and‑run, and aggressive baserunning—to exploit Pittsburgh’s deep outfield, where center‑fielder Jabari Wade has a recorded average sprint speed of 27.1 ft/s, the slowest among starting outfielders in the NL.
Key Developments
- Kickoff set for 6:40 p.m. ET, giving both clubs a full evening to prepare.
- Marquee Sports Network holds exclusive TV rights for the matchup.
- Live scoreboard and advanced stats are available on USA Today’s MLB Scores Today page.
- Full May 27 slate features eight games, including a West Coast double‑header that could affect wild‑card races.
- All times confirmed as of 5:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, May 27.
How many runs have the Cubs scored on the road this season?
Chicago has tallied 112 runs in 31 away games, a total that puts them in the top third of MLB road offenses.
What is the Pirates’ win‑probability against left‑handed starters?
Against left‑handed pitchers, Pittsburgh holds a 57% win probability, according to the predictive model used in today’s scores.
Can viewers watch the Marquee Sports Network broadcast on a smartphone?
Yes, the network streams via the MLB.tv app, allowing fans to follow the game on iOS or Android devices.
