Starting Lineups:

Pittsburgh Pirates (7-5):

1) Nick Yorke (R) 3B

2) Ryan O’Hearn (L) 1B

3) Bryan Reynolds (S) LF

4) Marcell Ozuna (R) DH

5) Nick Gonzales (R) 2B

6) Oneil Cruz (L) CF

7) Konnor Griffin (R) SS

8) Joey Bart (R) C

9) Billy Cook (R) RF

Starting Pitcher: Carmen Mlodzinski (0-0, 4.00 ERA)

Chicago Cubs (6-6):

1) Nico Hoerner (R) 2B

2) Michael Busch (L) 1B

3) Alex Bregman (R) 3B

4) Ian Happ (S) LF

5) Seiya Suzuki (R) RF

6) Pete Crow-Armstrong (L) CF

7) Carson Kelly (R) C

8) Moisés Ballesteros (L) DH

9) Dansby Swanson (R) SS

Starting Pitcher: Shota Imanaga (0-1, 4.50 ERA)

Chicago, IL — The Pittsburgh Pirates shut out the Cubs 2-0, opening the 3-game homestand, with Chicago not taking advantage of the quality start by Shota Imanaga.

Imanaga pitched six scoreless innings, using his offspeed pitches to his advantage — striking out nine Pirates, keeping them off-balance and not allowing a single hit. Left-hander Caleb Thielbar replaced Imanaga in the seventh, leaving the Cub’s starter with a no-decision.

After a lead-off base hit in the seventh by Ryan O’Hearn, Bryan Reynolds launched a homer to left-center field to put Pittsburgh up 2-0.

Alex Bregman led off the bottom of the sixth with a long single down the left field line. Ian Happ collected his second hit of the day with a single through the right side of the infield, ultimately chasing the Pirates starter from the game.

LHP Mason Montgomery replaced Mlodzinski for the Pirates, finishing off the sixth inning, with the Cubs leaving the bases loaded. 

The Pirates’ bullpen kept the Cubs off the scoreboard from the sixth inning the rest of the way.

Cub’s Right fielder Seiya Suzuki made his 2026 season debut after coming off the IL from a knee injury he suffered during the World Baseball Classic. Suzuki earned his first of the season, a base hit, in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The Good: Both teams’ starting pitching — both Imanaga and Mlodzinski pitched well in the game, not allowing a run through the sixth inning and five and a third, respectively. Imanaga did not give up a hit to the Pirates either.

The Bad/The Ugly: Chicago’s Bullpen and theri offense — after a dazzling start from Imanaga, LHP Theilbar gave up a two-run home run to Bryan Reynolds in the top of the seventh, ultimately deciding the game and erasing Imanaga’s no-hit start. Additionally, the offense left 11 on base in total, highlighting the Cubs’ inability to capitalize on run-scoring chances.

Shota Imanaga – photo courtesy of The Japan Times

The Cubs return to action tomorrow against the Pirates with the first pitch set for 1:20 PM.

-Matt Koper

Founder of Koper’s Korner