Pittsburgh (51-71) vs Chicago (68-52)
August 15, 2025 at 02:20 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Chicago -180 — Over/Under: 9.5
In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Cubs prediction for this MLB game on Friday, August 15th at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 51-71 this year after they lost all three against Milwaukee by scores of 1-7, 0-14, and 5-12. In their game three loss, Pittsburgh allowed the first six runs in the game and never had a chance in the blowout loss. The Pirates recorded 12 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Reynolds, who went 3-4 with two home runs and five RBIs in the loss. Pittsburgh started Keller, who allowed eight hits and six earned runs over 4.0 innings for the loss, while Nicolas allowed four earned runs in relief.
Prior to that series, the Pirates split four games with the Reds and lost two out of three against the Giants. Pittsburgh has lost five games in a row and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 4.06 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and a .240 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 432 runs with a .232 batting average and a .304 on base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz has led Pittsburgh with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added 13 home runs and 61 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Braxton Ashcraft, who is 3-2 with a 3.19 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP over 36.2 innings pitched this year.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
The Chicago Cubs are 68-52 this season after they lost two out of three against Toronto by scores of 1-5, 4-1, and 1-2. In their game three loss, Chicago led 1-0 in the sixth inning, but failed to score over the last three innings in the defeat. The Cubs recorded six hits in the game and they were led by Busch, who went 1-3 with one home run and one RBI in the loss. Chicago started Boyd, who allowed two hits and two earned runs over 7.0 innings for the loss, while Pomeranz pitched the eighth.
Prior to that series, the Cubs lost two out of three against the Cardinals and two out of three against the Reds. Chicago has lost six of their last nine games and they are currently second in the NL Central standings. The Chicago pitching staff has a 3.85 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and a .244 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 605 runs with a .252 batting average and a .321 on base percentage this season. Seiya Suzuki has led Chicago with 27 home runs and 85 RBIs, while Pete Crow-Armstrong has added 27 home runs and 78 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Colin Rea, who is 9-5 with a 4.09 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP over 116.2 innings pitched this season.
Why the Cubs will beat the Pirates
- The Cubs have won each of their last nine day games against National League opponents following a road loss.
- The Pirates have lost seven of their last eight road games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last six day games following a loss.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five road games against NL Central opponents.
- The Cubs have led after 3 innings in each of their last four games against opponents that held a losing record.
- The Cubs have led after 5 innings in four of their last five day games against NL Central opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Cubs’ last four games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Five of the Pirates’ last six road games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the Pirates’ last six road games.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the Cubs’ last six games at Wrigley Field.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last seven day games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in two of his last three home appearances against NL Central opponents.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Andrew McCutchen has hit a home run in each of his last two road appearances after not playing the previous day.
- Tommy Pham has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances in day games against teams that held a winning record.
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Pirates vs Cubs Prediction
Both of these teams come into this matchup struggling in recent series, but the Pirates are the worst team in the Central and have allowed at least 12 runs in three of their last four games. The Pirates are 17-42 on the road this season, while the Cubs are 36-22 at home. Chicago needs to start stringing some wins together, as Milwaukee as really pulled away in the standings. The Cubs are starting Rea, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last five. The Pirates are going with Ashcraft, who should only last a few innings. Take the Cubs -1.5 here.