The Pittsburgh Pirates return to PNC Park on Friday, July 24, 2026, for a 6:40 PM ET showdown with the Chicago Cubs. Right-hander Jared Jones gets the ball for Pittsburgh, squaring off against lefty Matthew Boyd for Chicago. This is a mid-summer division-adjacent matchup that carries real weight — every game at this point of the schedule shapes where a club stands heading into the final stretch of the season, and the Pirates need to protect their home turf.
Pitching Matchup: Jared Jones vs. Matthew Boyd
Jared Jones is the story on the Pittsburgh side. The young right-hander has been one of the most watched arms in the Pirates rotation, and a home start at PNC Park gives him every advantage — the crowd, the familiarity, the energy off the Allegheny. Jones has the kind of stuff that keeps lineups off-balance, and a strong outing here would be a significant statement for a Pittsburgh rotation looking to prove it can go toe-to-toe with NL competition deep into the summer.
Matthew Boyd takes the mound for the Cubs. The veteran lefty has experience in big spots and knows how to navigate a lineup. Boyd's ability to generate soft contact and work deep into games makes him a legitimate challenge for a Pirates offense that will need to be disciplined and patient at the plate. Pittsburgh cannot afford to swing at Boyd's best offerings early in counts — the at-bats have to be earned.
Keys to Watch for the Pittsburgh Pirates
- Jones's command: If Jones is locating his fastball early and keeping hitters off his secondary stuff, this could be a long night for Chicago's lineup. Watch his first-inning approach closely — it tends to set the tone for his entire outing.
- Offensive patience against Boyd: Boyd rewards hitters who chase. Pittsburgh needs to work counts, draw walks, and make him work. Extra-base hits will come if the lineup is disciplined enough to get into favorable counts.
- Bullpen readiness: Mid-summer games at home are won and lost in the seventh and eighth innings. The Pirates' relief corps needs to be sharp and ready to protect whatever Jones builds.
- Home atmosphere at PNC Park: There's a reason PNC Park matters. A Friday night crowd energizes this ballclub, and Pittsburgh has an opportunity to feed off that environment from the first pitch.
Prediction
Give the edge to the Pirates here. Jones pitching at home is a formula Pittsburgh has reason to feel good about, and Boyd, while capable, faces a lineup that has shown it can grind through veteran pitchers. Expect a tightly contested game through five or six innings before Pittsburgh's offense finds a gap and the bullpen slams the door. Pirates win, 4-2.
Catch all the action on SportsNet Pittsburgh (TV), Marquee Sports Network (TV for Cubs fans), 104.3 The Score, or Sports Radio 93.7 KDKA The Fan. First pitch at PNC Park is 6:40 PM ET on Friday, July 24.
