CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have a very tough series on tap this weekend in Pittsburgh, with three good Pirates starters set to take the mound against them. And that begins tonight with Jared Jones squaring up against Matthew Boyd.
Here’s a look at the Chicago Cubs lineup for Game 1 of 3, as the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline inches ever closer.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF Seiya Suzuki, RF Michael Busch, 1B Alex Bregman, 3B Ian Happ, LF Nico Hoerner, 2B Pedro Ramírez, DH Carson Kelly, C Dansby Swanson, SSPedro Ramirez is back in the Cubs lineup tonight against Pirates righty Jared Jones, who has struggled with lefties quite a bit more than righties in limited duty this season (though the same trend is true for his career).
In fact, I would have guessed that Craig Counsell tried to get both Ramirez and Michael Conforto in there tonight, but it seems to be an either/or at the moment. And that’s with Kevin Alcantara at Triple-A and Matt Shaw still out injured.
Anyway, it’s been a nice introduction for Ramirez, who is slashing .286/.329/.443 (111 wRC+) as a 22-year-old at the big league level getting VERY intermittent playing time, while barely playing the field.
Shrink that sample size to his most recent 62 plate appearances, and it’s even more impressive: .321/.361/.500 (135 wRC+) with a strikeout rate under 20%.
That said, he’s got a very tough challenge ahead of him tonight in Jared Jones, and another one tomorrow (Paul Skenes) and Sunday (Braxton Ashcraft) if he keeps starting. Good luck, Rook.
Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup:
TBAPitching Matchup:
Chicago Cubs: Matthew Boyd, LHP
Although Matthew Boyd’s recent run has been helped by some juicy matchups against teams who aren’t particularly strong versus left-handed pitching (not unlike the Pirates, to be fair!), he’s also been pretty freakin’ good: 2.57 ERA over five starts.
The Cubs desperately need him to be this good down the stretch and into the postseason, so here’s hoping he’s able to keep it up tonight in Pittsburgh. Like I said, the Pirates have struggled against left-handed pitching this season (94 wRC+, 18th in MLB), and the wind is blowing in. So he should be set up for some success.
Unfortunately, he might have to be close to perfect tonight, because Jared Jones is going to be a legitimate challenge for the Cubs … as he is for most teams he faces when healthy.
Oh, and don’t forget: Paul Skenes looms for tomorrow.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Jared Jones, RHP
Jared Jones has made only nine starts so far this season, as he began the year on the IL still rehabbing elbow surgery from last year. But after he got his first start out of the way, he’s been pretty excellent, albeit over shorter outings than usual: 8 starts, 35.2 IP, 3.28 ERA, 2.69 FIP, 29.6 K%, 7.0 BB%.
He’s good. No way around it.
But if you’re looking for an angle, you could point out that he’s a pretty significant lefty/righty splits guy for his career, and especially this season. Lefties are quietly crushing him while righties can’t do ANYTHING.
Might be a nice night for Ian Happ (5-12, 2B, 3B, HR vs Jones) to start his next hot streak. They might need him to.
Final note, just check out Jones’ last two starts:
vsATL: 6.0 IP, 0H, 0ER, 0BB, 8K (yeah …) @CLE: 5.0 IP, 3H, 1ER, 1BB, 9KHe’s a stud. Just prepare yourself.
Broadcast Info:
First Pitch: 5:40 pm CT How to Watch Today’s Cubs Game: MARQ How to Listen to Today’s Cubs Game: 104.3 The Score Matchup: Chicago Cubs (57-45) Pittsburgh Pirates (53-50)Cubs vs Pirates – Key Injuries:
INJURY REPORT Cubs vs. Pirates · entering July 24, 2026 CHICAGO CUBS 10-DAY IL Matt ShawSprained hand (left)INF/OF 15-DAY IL Daniel PalenciaElbow inflammationRP Ben BrownStress reaction in neckSP Edward CabreraStrained hamstringSP Hoby MilnerAppendectomyRP Ethan RobertsStrained forearmRP Phil MatonKnee tendinitisRP 60-DAY IL Justin SteeleElbow surgery (UCL revision repair)SP Shelby MillerTommy John surgeryRP Tyler AustinKnee surgery (patella debridement)1B/OF Hunter HarveyTriceps inflammationRP Cade HortonTommy John surgerySP Porter HodgeTommy John surgeryRP Riley MartinStrained elbow (flexor)RP PITTSBURGH PIRATES 10-DAY IL Spencer HorwitzStrained hamstring1B Endy RodríguezStrained gluteC 15-DAY IL Evan SiskElbow inflammationRP 60-DAY IL Chris DevenskiIllnessRP Oneil CruzFourth and fifth metacarpal fracturesCF Konnor GriffinTorn finger tendon (left ring)SS IL status and designations entering July 24, 2026.Cubs vs Pirates – PNC Park Weather Report
Location: Pittsburgh, PATemperature: 79 degreesWind: Blowing in, 8 MPH
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