Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Prediction 8/16/2025 Today’s MLB Picks

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs meet Saturday in MLB action at Wrigley Field. Here’s a Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Prediction. This article will include a Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Pick.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 52-71 on the year and play the Blue Jays, Rockies, and Cardinals next. The Pittsburgh Pirates are batting .232 on the season, have a .303 OBP, and a .346 slugging percentage. The Pittsburgh Pirates pitching staff has a 4.04 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. Bryan Reynolds leads the Pittsburgh Pirates with 111 hits and 61 RBI, while Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Andrew McCutchen have combined for 187 hits and 74 RBI. 

Mike Burrows gets the ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he is 1-4 with a 4.66 ERA and 69 strikeouts this season. This will be Burrows’ second career game against the Chicago Cubs.

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 68-53 on the year and play the Brewers, Angels, and Giants next. The Chicago Cubs are batting .251 on the season, have a .320 OBP, and a .433 slugging percentage. The Chicago Cubs pitching staff has a 3.85 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Nico Hoerner leads the Chicago Cubs with 130 hits and 47 RBI while Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker have combined for 233 hits and 141 RBI.

Shota Imanaga gets the ball for the Chicago Cubs, and he is 8-5 with a 3.19 ERA and 79 strikeouts this season. Imanaga is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 17 strikeouts in his career against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Pirates have lost each of their last nine Saturday day games at Wrigley Field.
• The Cubs have won six of their last seven day games following a loss.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games against National League opponents after playing the previous day.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last three day games following a home loss.
• The Cubs have led after 3 innings in four of their last five games against opponents that held a losing record.

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Cubs have lost each of their last three games as favorites.
• The underdogs have won each of the Cubs’ last three games.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in 13 of their last 14 games at Wrigley Field.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games at Wrigley Field against National League opponents that held a losing record.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Dansby Swanson has hit a home run in eight of his last 15 appearances against the Pirates.
• Shota Imanaga has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his five previous appearances with the Cubs as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
• Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last eight day games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• Shota Imanaga has recorded a win in each of his last four appearances at Wrigley Field against opponents that held a losing record.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• 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.
• Jack Suwinski has hit a home run in each of his last two road appearances against the Cubs.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Prediction

The Pirates have had issues stringing together wins lately, and Burrows has allowed eight hits and 10 runs in his last 9.2 innings. The Cubs can’t afford to keep blowing games like this if they’re going to get where they’re trying to go, and Imanaga has a 3.32 ERA and .201 allowed batting average in 40.2 home innings. Imanaga has also owned the Pirates in two career starts. There are no excuses for the Cubs with their ace on the bump. Give me the Cubs.