Pirates vs Cubs Prediction 6/13/25 MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Pirates vs Cubs prediction for this MLB game on Friday, June 13th 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 28-42 this season after they lost game one by a score of 3-2 on Thursday night. Pittsburgh trailed 3-0 in the sixth inning, but they scored two runs in the seventh, before falling just short in their comeback attempt. The Pirates recorded four hits in the game, and they were led by Frazier and Triolo, who both had one RBI in the loss. Pittsburgh started Heaney, who allowed four hits and three earned runs over 6.0 innings for the loss, while Mattson and Borucki pitched a scoreless two innings in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Pirates won two out of three against the Marlins and swept the Phillies in three games. Pittsburgh has won five of its last seven games, and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 3.78 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and a .231 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 227 runs with a .228 batting average and a .306 on-base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz has led Pittsburgh with 13 home runs and 29 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added eight home runs and 39 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Paul Skenes, who is 4-6 with a 1.88 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP over 91.0 innings pitched this season. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 42-27 this year after they won game one on Thursday night. Chicago jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the game, which was enough for the win, but they didn’t generate much offense in the game. The Cubs recorded four hits in the game, and they were led by Crow-Armstrong, who went 1-3 with one home run and two RBIs in the win. Chicago started Taillon, who allowed four hits and two earned runs over 6.1 innings for the win, while Pressly picked up the save. 

Prior to this series, the Cubs lost two out of three against the Phillies and two out of three against the Tigers. Chicago has lost four of their last seven games, and they are currently first in the NL Central standings. The Chicago pitching staff has a 3.68 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and a .246 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 379 runs with a .256 batting average and a .327 on-base percentage this season. Pete Crow-Armstrong has led Chicago with 18 home runs and 57 RBIs, while Seiya Suzuki has added 17 home runs and 57 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Cade Horton, who is 3-1 with a 4.11 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP over 30.2 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Cubs will beat the Pirates 

• The Cubs have won each of their last eight games as home favorites after playing the previous day.
• The Pirates have lost nine of their last 10 road games against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight day games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The favorites have covered the run line in nine of the Cubs’ last 12 games.
• The Cubs have led after 3 innings in seven of their last nine games at Wrigley Field against opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Five of the Pirates’ last six road games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Four of the Cubs’ last five home games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Pirates’ last five games against National League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Cubs’ last seven home games against NL Central opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Seiya Suzuki has recorded a Double in four of the Cubs’ last five day games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Kyle Tucker has recorded at least one RBI in five of his six previous appearances with his team as a favorite against the Pirates.
• Dansby Swanson has recorded at least one hit in 16 of his last 17 appearances with his team as a home favorite against the Pirates.
• Dansby Swanson has recorded at least one Single in nine of his 10 previous appearances against the Pirates at Wrigley Field.
• Seiya Suzuki has scored at least one run in five of the Cubs’ last six games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• Seiya Suzuki has hit at least one home run in three of the Cubs’ last four games against the Pirates.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks T8th in the league in Home Runs (17) this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Andrew McCutchen has hit a home run in two of the Pirates’ last three road games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances against NL opponents that held a winning record.
• Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one RBI in four of his last five appearances against NL opponents that held a winning record.
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa has recorded a Single in each of the Pirates’ last six road games against NL opponents that held a winning record.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes has scored a run in each of his last four appearances.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Cubs rank T2nd in the league for doubles this season (126).
• The Cubs rank 2nd in the league for triples this season (15).
• The Pirates rank 29th in the league for RBIs this season (215).
• The Pirates rank 29th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.343).

Pirates vs Cubs Prediction 

Chicago was able to get a very low-scoring win in game one in this series, and they continue to have a comfortable lead in the NL Central standings. The Cubs are 21-11 at home this season, while the Pirates are 9-23 on the road. Pittsburgh has actually played pretty well over the last few series, and they are starting Skenes, who has allowed a total of three earned runs over his last five starts. The Cubs are going with Horton, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four. We know Skenes is one of the best pitchers in the MLB, but Pittsburgh is just 3-5 in his last eight starts. Take the Cubs here. 

David Racey's Pick: Cubs ML