Cubs vs Pirates Prediction 5/28/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, May 28th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 30-26 this season after they lost two of the first three games in this series by scores of 1-2, 1-12, and 10-4. In game three, Chicago blew a 3-0 lead early in the game, but they scored the last six runs for the lopsided win. The Cubs recorded 14 hits in the game and they were led by Happ, who went 2-5 with one home run and five RBIs. Taillon allowed five hits and four earned runs over 5.0 innings, while Webb picked up the win. Prior to this series, Chicago lost all three against the Astros and all three against the Brewers.

This season, Chicago has a 4.22 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and a .239 opponent batting average, while they have scored 265 runs with a .238 batting average and a .336 on base percentage. Nico Hoerner has led the Cubs with four home runs and 32 RBIs, while Dansby Swanson has added seven home runs and 27 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Colin Rea, who is 4-3 with a 4.83 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP over 54.0 innings pitched this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 29-27 this year after they lost game three by a score of 10-4 last night. Pittsburgh tied the game at three in the third inning and at four in the fourth, but they went scoreless over the last five innings in the loss. The Pirates recorded seven hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Lowe, who went 1-4 with one home run and three RBIs. Chandler allowed eight hits and four earned runs over 5.0 innings, while Ramirez picked up the loss in relief. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh lost two out of three against the Blue Jays, but did win two out of three against the Cardinals before that. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 3.81 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and a .227 opponent batting average, while they have scored 274 runs with a .252 batting average and a .332 on base percentage. Oneil Cruz has led the Pirates with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs, while Brandon Lowe has added 14 home runs and 36 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Paul Skenes, who is 6-4 with a 3.00 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP over 60.0 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Cubs have lost nine of their last 10 road games against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have won five of their last six night games following a loss.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 games after playing the previous day.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in five of their last six games against the Cubs.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in four of their last five games against the Cubs.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in four of their last five night games against opponents that held a winning record.

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won 17 of their last 18 games against National League opponents following a win.
• The Pirates have lost each of their last five games as home favorites against the Cubs following a loss.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine home games against NL Central opponents following a home loss.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last six Thursday games as road underdogs.

Total Runs Facts

• Six of the Pirates’ last seven games as favorites against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Five of the Cubs’ last six road games after playing the previous day have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last five games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Pirates’ last seven games.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in two of the Pirates’ last three games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
• Marcell Ozuna has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances with the Pirates as favorites against NL Central opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Michael Conforto has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances with his team as a road underdog against the Pirates.
• Alex Bregman has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 road appearances after playing the previous day.

Cubs vs Pirates Prediction 

Chicago was able to snap their losing streak with a huge win on Wednesday night, but they have really struggled over the last two weeks. The Cubs are 12-15 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 15-14 at home. Pittsburgh has won three of their last four games and they have allowed one run in all three of those wins. The Pirates are starting Skenes, who has allowed nine earned runs and 15 hits in his last 10.0 innings, while Rea has allowed 12 earned runs in his last three starts. We have seen some struggles out of Skenes and Rea isn’t the best option, so I am going back to the over here.

David Racey's Pick: Over 7.5