Pirates vs Cubs Prediction 6/15/25 MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Pirates vs Cubs prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, June 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 29-43 this season after they lost two of the first three games in this series by scores of 2-3, 2-1, and 1-2. In their game three loss, Pittsburgh led 1-0 in the first inning, but went scoreless over the final eight innings in the game. The Pirates recorded five hits, and they were led by McCutchen, who went 2-4 with one home run and one RBI in the loss. Pittsburgh started Burrows, who allowed five hits and one earned run over 5.1 innings, while Borucki picked up the loss in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Pirates won two out of three against the Marlins and all three against the Phillies. Pittsburgh has won six of its last nine games, and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 3.72 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and a .231 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 230 runs with a .227 batting average and a .304 on-base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz has led Pittsburgh with 13 home runs and 30 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added eight home runs and 39 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Mitch Keller, who is 1-9 with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP over 82.1 innings pitched this season. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 43-28 this year after they won game three in this series by a score of 2-1. Chicago tied the game at one in the third inning, and they scored the winning run in the sixth for the victory. The Cubs recorded six hits in the game, and they were led by Happ and Swanson, who both had one RBI in the win. Chicago started Boyd, who allowed one hit and one earned run over 6.0 innings for the win, while Palencia 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 alternated wins and losses over their last six games, and they are currently first in the NL Central standings. The Chicago pitching staff has a 3.60 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and a .244 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 382 runs with a .255 batting average and a .325 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 Colin Rea, who is 4-2 with a 3.92 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP over 62.0 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Cubs will beat the Pirates 

• The Pirates have lost each of their last six Sunday road games.
• The Cubs have won 10 of their last 12 games at Wrigley Field.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line each of their last six Sunday day games against teams that held a winning record.

Why the Pirates will beat the Cubs 

• The Pirates have won each of their last five games as road underdogs against the Cubs following a road loss.
• The Cubs have lost eight of their last 10 games as favorites against NL Central opponents following a home win.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in 11 of their last 12 games at Wrigley Field against teams that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against the Pirates following a win.

Total Runs Facts

• Seven of the Pirates’ last eight games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Each of the Cubs’ last four games as favorites against the Pirates have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Pirates’ last seven games against National League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in four of the Cubs’ last five games as favorites against NL Central opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Dansby Swanson has hit a home run in four of his last six appearances with the Cubs as home favorites against the Pirates.
• Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last seven day games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Dansby Swanson has recorded an RBI in four of the Cubs’ last five games against NL Central opponents.
• Kyle Tucker has scored a run in four of the Cubs’ last five games at Wrigley Field.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Andrew McCutchen has hit a home run in three of the Pirates’ last five road games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Mitch Keller has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last five appearances with the Pirates as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances with the Pirates as underdogs against the Cubs.
• Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one RBI in four of the Pirates’ last five day games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Mitch Keller has recorded a win in five of his last six appearances with the Pirates as underdogs against the Cubs.
• Adam Frazier has scored a run in each of his last four road appearances against opponents that held a winning record.

Pirates vs Cubs Prediction 

Neither one of these teams comes into this matchup playing very well over their last five games, but Chicago is looking for a series win. The Cubs are 22-12 at home this year, while the Pirates are 10-24 on the road. Pittsburgh’s offense continues to be a huge problem, but they will face Rea, who has allowed at least four earned runs in three of his last four starts. Pittsburgh is starting Keller, who has allowed 3, 6, and 3 earned runs in his last three outings. I am definitely concerned about the Pittsburgh offense, but I don’t like either starter in this game. Take the over here. 

David Racey's Pick: Over 7.5