Cubs vs Pirates Prediction 4/29/25 MLB Picks

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 11-18 this year after they lost two out of three against the Dodgers by scores of 3-0, 4-8, and 2-9. In their game three loss, the Pirates led 2-0 in the first inning, but allowed the last nine runs in the game for the blowout loss. Pittsburgh recorded nine hits and they committed two errors in the game, while they were led by McCutchen and Valdez, who both had one RBI in the loss. Pittsburgh started Falter, who allowed eight hits and five earned runs over 4.1 innings in the loss, while Nicolas allowed four hits and two earned runs in 1.1 innings out of the bullpen. 

Prior to that series, the Pirates won two out of three against the Angels, but were swept by the Guardians before that. Pittsburgh has lost three of its last four games, and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 3.98 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and a .233 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 102 runs with a .224 batting average and a .304 on-base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz has led Pittsburgh with eight home runs and 16 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added three home runs and 14 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Andrew Heaney, who is 2-1 with a 1.72 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP over 31.1 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Pirates will beat the Cubs 

• The Pirates have won each of their last four night games following a loss.
• The Cubs have lost four of their last five road games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last six games at PNC Park following a road loss.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line each of their last four night games against National League opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts

• Five of the Cubs' last six road games after going to extra innings have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Five of the last six games between the Cubs and Pirates have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Cubs' last seven road games.
• The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Pirates' last four games against National League opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Tommy Pham has recorded a Double in four of his last five appearances at PNC Park against NL opponents that held a winning record.
• Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one RBI in six of the Pirates' last seven night games.
• Ke'Bryan Hayes has recorded at least one Single in each of the Pirates' last eight games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Oneil Cruz has scored at least one run in eight of the Pirates' last nine night games.
• Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in each of the Pirates' last two home games against NL opponents.
• Adam Frazier has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates' last 11 games.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Ian Happ has recorded a Double in each of the Cubs' last four games at PNC Park against opponents that held a losing record.
• Seiya Suzuki has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Cubs' last four road games against NL Central opponents.
• Dansby Swanson has recorded at least one Single in each of the Cubs' last eight night games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Nico Hoerner has scored at least one run in each of the Cubs' last seven road games against the Pirates.
• Seiya Suzuki has hit at least one home run in each of the Cubs' last three games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Kyle Tucker has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 road appearances against NL Central opponents.

Cubs vs Pirates Prediction 

Both of these teams come into this series after losing two out of three games over the weekend, and they are on opposite sides of the NL Central standings. The Cubs are 8-5 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 6-7 at home. Pittsburgh has struggled at the plate, but they will be starting Heaney, who has allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his five starts this year. Chicago is turning to Imanaga, who has had three very good starts but has also allowed five earned runs in two separate outings. Take the Pirates to win game one.