Free MLB Pick: Pirates vs. Cubs Odds
Looking for Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs Free MLB predictions? MLB betting sees the Pirates taking on the Cubs on 8/17 at Wrigley Field, in Chicago. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLB baseball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily MLB predictions like this Pirates Cubs free pick.
2025 MLB Handicapping – Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs
(52-72) Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs (69-53)
Date: Aug 17, 2025
Time: 2:20 PM ET
Venue: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL
Projected Starting Pitchers: Carmen Mlodzinski vs. Javier Assad
MLB Moneyline Odds: Pirates +166 | Cubs -199 (Bet Now!)
Today’s MLB Run Line Betting Odds: Pirates +1.5 | Cubs -1.5
MLB Baseball Gambling Total: O/U: 8.0
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Pirates vs. Cubs Gameday
The Pittsburgh Pirates will visit the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sunday. The Pirates have a record of 52-72 and sit in the fifth spot in the NL Central. They have lost their last game and won only three of their last ten games.
The Cubs, on the other hand, have a record of 69-53, placing them in the second position in the division. They recently secured a win, adding to their four victories in the last ten games. The home record for the Cubs is strong, with 37 wins and 23 losses.
In their recent game against the Cubs, the Pirates fell short with a score of 3-1. Mike Burrows pitched five innings, allowing five hits and one run. Tommy Pham hit a home run for the Pirates, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
The weather forecast for the game indicates a warm day with a light breeze and possible light rain.
Fans can catch the game on SN PT at 2:20 PM. It should be an interesting afternoon at Wrigley Field.
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs Odds & Last 5
The odds favor the Cubs at home with a moneyline of -198, compared to the Pirates at +166. The runline sees the Cubs at -1.5 with odds of +107, while the Pirates are +1.5 at -127. The total for the game is set at 8.0 runs, with the over at -106 and the under at -113.
The Pirates have struggled recently, losing seven of their last ten games. In their last outing, they were defeated by the Cubs 3-1, despite a home run by Tommy Pham. Their away record is a concern, with only 18 wins on the road this season.
The Cubs, holding the second spot in the division, have had mixed results over their last ten games, winning four. They managed a solid win against the Pirates in their recent game, thanks to pitcher Shota Imanaga’s strong performance. The Cubs’ home advantage at Wrigley Field could be significant in this matchup.
Cubs Stats
The Chicago Cubs are hitting well this season. They have a batting average of .252, ranking 6th in the league. Their on-base percentage is .320, placing them 8th.
The Cubs’ power is evident with a slugging percentage of .433, which ranks 4th. They have hit 170 home runs, placing them 6th. Their 202 doubles rank them 8th in the league.
Seiya Suzuki leads the team with 27 home runs. He also has 86 RBIs, ranking him 6th in the league. Michael Busch is another key player, hitting 24 home runs this season.
On the pitching side, the Cubs have an ERA of 3.83, ranking 12th. Their batting average against is .242, also placing them 12th. They have given up 151 home runs, ranking them 21st in the league.
The Cubs have had 47 quality starts, ranking them 8th. They have only blown 13 saves, which is the best in the league. However, their strikeout total of 925 ranks them 24th.
Recently, the Cubs have had mixed results. They won their last game against the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1. However, they lost two of their previous three games against the Pirates and Blue Jays.
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Pirates Stats
The Pittsburgh Pirates are having a challenging season at the plate. Their team batting average stands at .231, placing them 17th in the league. Additionally, their on-base percentage is .302, ranking 19th.
Slugging is another area where the Pirates struggle. They have a slugging percentage of .345, which ranks 27th. With only 88 home runs, they find themselves in the 24th position in the league.
Andrew McCutchen leads the team in several offensive categories. His batting average is .241, and he has hit 11 home runs this season. McCutchen has also scored 38 runs and driven in 41 RBIs.
On the pitching side, the Pirates have a team ERA of 4.04, ranking 16th. Their batting average against is .240, which is a solid 10th place in the league. However, they have given up 122 home runs, placing them 4th in that less desirable category.
The Pirates’ pitching staff has managed 46 quality starts, which ranks 9th. They have also recorded 959 strikeouts, placing them 21st in the league. Blown saves are a concern, with 20 this season, ranking 7th.
Recently, the Pirates have had mixed results. They lost to the Cubs 3-1 on August 16th but won 3-2 against them on August 15th. Their previous series against the Brewers ended with three consecutive losses, highlighting the team’s inconsistency.
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Pirates vs. Cubs Pitching Matchup
Carmen Mlodzinski takes the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has an ERA of 4.20 and a WHIP of 1.39. With a win-loss record of 2-7, he looks to improve his performance.
Mlodzinski has shown a tendency to struggle in certain games. His strikeout numbers have been inconsistent. However, he aims to find a rhythm and help his team.
Javier Assad will start for the Chicago Cubs. His ERA stands at 9.00, and his WHIP is 2.25. He has a win-loss record of 0-1, indicating a rough start to the season.
Assad has faced challenges on the mound, with high ERA and WHIP numbers. He hopes to turn things around in this game. Improving his control will be key for success.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs Baseball Betting Trends
- The Cubs have a recent record of 2 wins and 3 losses in their last five games.
- Also, the Cubs have scored 3 or fewer runs in four of their last five games.
- The Pirates have lost four of their last five games.
- In their last five games, the Pirates have scored 3 or fewer runs in four games.
- Additionally, the Cubs have seen the total go under 5 runs in four of their last five games.
- The Pirates have seen the total go over 8 runs in only one of their last five games.
Pirates vs Cubs Prediction: Under 7.5
The Cubs have been ice cold at the plate, scoring 3 runs or fewer in four of their last five games. That kind of trend is hard to ignore, especially when the Pirates have mirrored the same struggles with limited run production.
Neither lineup is showing much life right now.
Furthermore, both teams have leaned heavily toward the under in recent outings.
The Cubs have stayed under 5 runs in four of their last five, while the Pirates have gone over 8 runs just once in their last five. Add in light rain and a breeze at Wrigley, and scoring conditions don’t look favorable.
With the Cubs posting a 4.04 ERA and the Pirates slightly better at 3.83, pitching seems set to control this one. Even though the Pirates carry a higher batting average, their poor road record tells a different story.
All signs point to another low-scoring matchup — play Under 7.5.
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MLB Betting Tweet Of The Day
dub secured. pic.twitter.com/cSPPITYqjq
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 16, 2025
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