It’s the Chicago Cubs versus the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 28, 2026. Here’s how to watch live on TV.
- Time: 6:40 PM ET
- Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
- TV Channels: Marquee Sports Network, SportsNet Pittsburgh
- League Package: MLB Extra Innings®
How to Watch Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates on May 28, 2026
You can watch the Pittsburgh Pirates take on the Chicago Cubs live on DIRECTV on Marquee Sports Network, SportsNet Pittsburgh on May 28, 2026 at 6:40 PM ET.
Chicago Cubs (30-26) at Pittsburgh Pirates (29-27) — Game Preview
The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates meet again at PNC Park with the two clubs separated by a single game in the standings, Chicago at 30-26 and Pittsburgh at 29-27. The pitching matchup frames the night: Paul Skenes takes the ball for the Pirates with a 3.00 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP across 60.0 innings, opposite Colin Rea, who has a 4.83 ERA, 54.0 innings and a 1.37 WHIP for the Cubs. Skenes has 65 strikeouts on the season, giving Pittsburgh a strong swing-and-miss presence on the mound.
The Cubs counter with Alex Bregman, who is hitting .261 with a .343 on-base percentage and has carried a six-game multi-hit road streak into this set. Pittsburgh leans on Nick Gonzales, batting .297 with a .351 OBP near the top of the order, and Brandon Lowe, whose 14 home runs and 36 RBIs give the lineup its top power source. Ian Happ adds another lefty bat for Chicago with 11 home runs and 26 RBIs, though he is hitting just .215. With Justin Steele and Cade Horton on the 60-day IL, Rea remains an important piece of a rotation working through injuries.
Regional Coverage
Marquee Sports Network, SportsNet Pittsburgh
League Packages
MLB Extra Innings®
What Time is the Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Game Today?
The Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates game starts at 6:40 PM ET.
Where Can I Watch Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates?
You can watch Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates on your local regional sports network, Marquee Sports Network, SportsNet Pittsburgh and MLB Extra Innings®.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Channel on DIRECTV
Marquee Sports Network (Channel 664), SportsNet Pittsburgh (Channel 659)
Players to Watch: Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Chicago Cubs
Alex Bregman — 3B. The veteran third baseman is hitting .261 with a .343 on-base percentage and a .360 slugging mark, and he carries a streak of six straight multi-hit road games into this one. His ability to work at-bats against right-handed pitching gives the Cubs a steady option with runners on base.
Ian Happ — LF. Happ has 11 home runs and 26 RBIs but is hitting just .215, a line that shows the power has been more consistent than the average. The pop from the left side still gives Chicago a lineup threat against Pittsburgh’s right-handed starter.
Colin Rea — SP. Today’s starter for Chicago carries a 4.83 ERA across 54.0 innings, with 44 strikeouts and a 1.37 WHIP. With Justin Steele and Cade Horton both on the 60-day IL, Rea has been the steady arm the rotation needs.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Nick Gonzales — 3B. Gonzales leads the Pirates’ qualified hitters with a .297 batting average and a .351 on-base percentage, the table-setter Pittsburgh has needed at the top of the order. His .346 slugging keeps him a contact bat rather than a power threat, which matters in a park where the gaps reward line drives.
Brandon Lowe — 2B. The second baseman pairs 14 home runs with 36 RBIs and a .269 average, the most productive combination of pop and average on the Pirates roster. He is the main power bat Chicago has to account for when the lineup turns over.
Paul Skenes — SP. Tonight’s starter holds a 3.00 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP across 60.0 innings, with 65 strikeouts in that span. Skenes leads the Pirates with 6 wins, and his strikeout total gives Pittsburgh a high-end arm for this matchup.
Injury Report: Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Chicago Cubs
Matthew Boyd (SP) — 15-day IL, left knee surgery
Edward Cabrera (SP) — 15-day IL, right finger abrasion
Matt Shaw (RF) — 10-day IL, back
Hunter Harvey (RP) — 60-day IL, right triceps inflammation
Justin Steele (SP) — 60-day IL, left elbow surgery
Riley Martin (RP) — 15-day IL, left elbow inflammation
Shelby Miller (RP) — 60-day IL, right elbow surgery
Cade Horton (SP) — 60-day IL, right elbow surgery
Tyler Austin (1B) — 60-day IL, right knee surgery
Porter Hodge (RP) — 60-day IL, right elbow surgery
Pittsburgh Pirates
Ryan O’Hearn (RF) — 10-day IL, right quadriceps strain
Jared Jones (SP) — 60-day IL, right elbow surgery
Chris Devenski (RP) — 15-day IL, illness
Joey Bart (C) — 10-day IL, left foot infection
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