Pirates vs Cubs Prediction 9/12/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Cubs prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, September 12th 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 74-74 this year after they lost game one by a score of 12-2 on Friday. Pittsburgh led 1-0 in the first inning, but they allowed the next nine runs for the loss. The Pirates recorded seven hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Cruz, who went 1-2 with one RBI. Dotel allowed four hits and three earned runs over 2.0 innings for the loss, while Curtis allowed six earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh swept the White Sox in three games and won two out of three against the Angels. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.18 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and a .237 opponent batting average, while they have scored 711 runs with a .253 batting average and a .330 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 29 home runs and 83 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added 17 home runs and 69 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Paul Skenes, who is 10-11 with a 3.83 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP over 155.0 innings pitched this year. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 82-66 this season after they won game one by a score of 12-2 yesterday. Chicago took the lead in the second inning and never looked back in the blowout win. The Cubs recorded 16 hits in the game and they were led by Busch, who went 2-4 with three RBIs. Imanaga allowed five hits and two earned runs over 6.0 innings for the win, while Assad threw an inning in relief. Prior to this series, Chicago lost all three against the Brewers, but did win two out of three against the Marlins before that. 

This season, Chicago has a 4.20 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and a .245 opponent batting average, while they have scored 792 runs with a .252 batting average and a .340 on base percentage. Pete Crow-Armstrong has led the Cubs with 41 home runs and 98 RBIs, while Dansby Swanson has added 18 home runs and 66 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Clay Holmes, who is 6-7 with a 2.83 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP over 86.0 innings pitched this season.

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Pirates have lost each of their last four road games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have won five of their last six games against the Pirates.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line each of their last four road games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in four of their last five games against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three day games against NL opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have led after 5 innings in four of their last five games at Wrigley Field.

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Cubs have lost each of their last four games as favorites against NL Central opponents following a home win.
• The Pirates have won four of their last five games as road underdogs.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last nine games at Wrigley Field following a loss.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight home games against the Pirates following a win.

Total Runs Facts

• Nine of the Cubs’ last 10 home games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Six of the Pirates’ last eight games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in six of the Cubs’ last seven games as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in five of the Pirates’ last six games against NL opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Alex Bregman has hit a home run in two of the Cubs’ last three home games.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last nine games against NL opponents.
• Clay Holmes has recorded a win in each of his last three home appearances against NL opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances with the Pirates as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• Paul Skenes has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last six appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Spencer Horwitz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances in day games against NL teams that held a winning record.

Pirates vs Cubs Prediction

Chicago snapped their losing streak with a blowout victory in game one on Friday and they have scored 18 runs in their last two games. The Cubs are 42-31 at home this year, while the Pirates are 36-40 on the road. Pittsburgh has won four of their last five games and they have allowed three or fewer in all four of those wins. The Pirates are starting Skenes, who has allowed 0, 5, 0, 3, and 1 earned run in his last five starts, while Holmes has allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his last five outings. Take the under here.

David Racey's Pick: Under 9