Cubs Struggle Again as Imanaga Shines in Loss to Pirates

The Chicago Cubs entered the 2026 season with high hopes, having retained a core that had pushed the Milwaukee Brewers to the brink in the previous year’s postseason. On paper, they were expected to be a top 10 team in baseball, but the reality has been far more challenging. As they approach their seventh opportunity to reach a .500 record, the Cubs have struggled to find consistency, hovering around the middle of the pack in the standings.

In their six wins, the Cubs have averaged an impressive 6.5 runs per game, scoring a total of 39 runs. However, their offensive output has drastically dropped in their seven losses, where they’ve managed just 17 runs, averaging a mere 2.43 runs per game. This stark contrast has resulted in two shutouts and two games with only one run scored, a troubling trend for a team that was shut out ten times all of last season.

In their latest matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Cubs’ lack of offensive production overshadowed a brilliant performance by starting pitcher Shōta Imanaga. The right-hander faced 19 batters, striking out nine while allowing no hits and issuing just one walk. Despite his dominance on the mound, Imanaga was left without any run support, a bitter pill for a pitcher who has historically performed well against the Pirates.

The game unfolded on April 10, with the Cubs falling 2-0 to the Pirates, dropping their record to 6-7. The lone highlight for the Cubs came from Imanaga, whose career ERA against the Pirates now stands at an impressive 0.35 after this outing.

Honorable mentions in the bullpen went to Ethan Roberts and Riley Martin, who both recorded flawless appearances, giving the Cubs a chance to rally in the late innings. However, the Cubs’ bats simply could not find a way to break through against the Pirates’ pitching.

In terms of standout performances, Bryan Reynolds delivered the WPA Play of the Game with a crucial home run in the seventh inning, breaking a scoreless tie and sealing the victory for the Pirates. Meanwhile, Ian Happ’s single in the sixth inning provided a glimmer of hope for the Cubs but ultimately went uncapitalized.

As the Cubs prepare for the second game of the three-game series, they will look to Edward Cabrera, who boasts a perfect 0.00 ERA in his first two starts, to lead them back into the win column. On the opposing side, Braxton Ashcraft will be taking the mound for the Pirates, hoping to build on his solid performances from earlier in the season.

With the Cubs still searching for offensive consistency, fans are hoping for a breakout performance in the next game. As the team navigates through this challenging stretch, the return of Seiya Suzuki may provide the spark they need to turn their season around.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.