Cubs Seek Bounce-Back as Suzuki Debuts Against Pirates

Preview

Chicago’s 6‑6 lineup opens a three‑game series at Wrigley Field on Friday, April 10, with first pitch slated for 2:20 p.m. ET. Right‑hander Shota Imanaga (0‑1, 4.50 ERA) will start for the Cubs, while Pittsburgh sends rookie Carmen Mlodzinski, who has allowed a 68 % hard‑hit rate in his two starts.

Key Statistics

• The Cubs rank second in the league for hard‑hit rate and sixth for barrel percentage, suggesting a regression to a league‑average BABIP (currently 25th).
• Seiya Suzuki makes his season debut, adding a potent bat to a lineup that has scored 24 runs in its last four games.
• Mlodzinski’s five outings include three with negative pitch values, raising concerns about the Pirates’ ability to contain Chicago’s power surge.

Betting Outlook

Analysts note the combination of Chicago’s elite contact numbers and Pittsburgh’s pitching vulnerabilities as a tilt toward the Cubs, despite the teams’ identical records.

How to Watch

The game will be televised nationally and streamed on major platforms; fans can also follow live updates on MLB’s official site.