Cubs vs Pirates Prediction 7/25/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, July 25th 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 58-45 this year after they won game one in extra innings by a score of 3-2. Chicago tied the game at one in the sixth inning and they scored two runs in the 10th for the win. The Cubs recorded six hits in the game and they were led by Crow-Armstrong, who went 2-4 with one home run and one RBI. Boyd allowed seven hits and one earned run over 7.0 innings, while Thielbar got the win and Hollowell picked up the save. Prior to this series, Chicago lost two out of three against the Tigers, but did win two out of three against the Twins before that. 

This season, Chicago has a 4.23 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and a .246 opponent batting average, while they have scored 523 runs with a .244 batting average and a .337 on base percentage. Dansby Swanson has led the Cubs with 16 home runs and 59 RBIs, while Ian Happ has added 18 home runs and 45 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Shota Imanaga, who is 6-8 with a 3.91 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP over 115.0 innings pitched this year. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 53-51 this season after they lost game one by a score of 2-3 on Friday night. Pittsburgh led 1-0 in the fifth inning, but failed to score until the 10th, where they came up one run short for the loss. The Pirates recorded eight hits in the game and they were led by Davis, who went 2-3 with one RBI. Jones allowed two hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings, while Ramirez picked up the loss in relief. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh lost two out of three against the Yankees, but did win two out of three against the Guardians before that. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.23 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and a .238 opponent batting average, while they have scored 545 runs with a .260 batting average and a .338 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 21 home runs and 65 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added 16 home runs and 64 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Paul Skenes, who is 9-8 with a 3.43 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP over 115.1 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Pirates have won five of their last six games following an extra innings loss.
• The Cubs have lost four of their last five night games against NL Central opponents following a road win.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in seven of their last eight home games following an extra innings loss.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight night games after going to extra innings.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in six of their last eight games against opponents that held a winning record.

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Pirates have lost each of their last six games as home favorites against the Cubs following a loss.
• The Cubs have won each of their last five games as underdogs against the Pirates following a win.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games as home favorites against the Cubs following a loss.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last five games as underdogs.

Total Runs Facts

• Thirteen of the Pirates’ last 14 games as favorites against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Each of the Cubs’ last four night games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in eight of the Cubs’ last nine games as road underdogs.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Pirates’ last seven Saturday night games at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Esmerlyn Valdez has hit at least one home run in three of the Pirates’ last four games as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
• Paul Skenes has recorded seven or more strikeouts in eight of his last nine home appearances.
• Ryan O’Hearn has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a winning record.
• Paul Skenes has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances against opponents that held a winning record.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Ian Happ has hit a home run in each of the Cubs’ last two games as underdogs against the Pirates.
• Ian Happ has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last eight night games.

Cubs vs Pirates Prediction 

Pittsburgh comes into this matchup after blowing game one on Friday and they have lost three of their last four games. The Pirates are 27-25 at home this year, while the Cubs are 28-23 on the road. Chicago has alternated wins and losses over their last five games and they have scored 6+ runs in three of those five. The Cubs are starting Imanaga, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four straight starts, while Skenes has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three straight outings. Take the under in this contest.

David Racey's Pick: Under 8