The Chicago Cubs, currently ranked second in the NL Central with a record of 87-64, are on a three-game winning streak. Their recent performance has been solid, winning six out of their last ten games. They will be looking to extend their winning streak as they visit PNC Park for an afternoon game.
On the other side, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been struggling, sitting in the fifth position in the NL Central with a record of 65-87. The Pirates are on a three-game losing streak and have managed only one win in their last ten games. They’ll be looking to turn their fortunes around in front of their home crowd.
The game is set to take place on September 17, 2025, at PNC Park, with a weather forecast predicting mild conditions under ‘Broken Clouds’. Fans can catch the action live on MLBN. The odds favor the Cubs with a moneyline of -160, while the Pirates are at +135, indicating a competitive encounter.
Pirates vs Cubs At a Glance
- Game Location: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
- Weather Forecast: Mild with ‘Broken Clouds’
- Cubs Record: 87-64, Ranked 2nd in NL Central
- Pirates Record: 65-87, Ranked 5th in NL Central
- TV Broadcast: Available on MLBN
- Game Odds: Cubs Moneyline -160, Pirates Moneyline +135
The Pittsburgh Pirates Prepare for a Critical Game Against the Cubs
Team Overview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to bounce back after a tough stretch in the 2025 season. The team currently holds a batting average of .230, which ranks 16th in the league. Their on-base percentage sits at .304, placing them 19th, while their slugging percentage is .347, ranked 24th.
Offensively, the Pirates have struggled with power, as evidenced by their ranking of 28th in home runs with just 107 on the season. They have, however, shown some patience at the plate, ranking 9th in walks with 502. Their strikeout numbers are concerning, though, with 1331 on the season, ranked 21st.
Pitching Analysis
The Pirates’ pitching staff has performed admirably, with a team ERA of 3.87, ranking them 10th in the league. Their opponents’ batting average against is a solid .237, which ranks 7th. However, they have been prone to giving up the long ball, with 143 home runs allowed, ranking them 3rd in the league.
Quality starts have been a strength for the Pirates, with 53 on the season, ranking 12th. Blown saves have been an issue, with 24, ranking 8th in the league. Overall, the pitching staff has compiled 1219 strikeouts, placing them 20th.
Key Players to Watch
Andrew McCutchen has been a key figure for the Pirates, leading the team in home runs (13), runs (48), and RBIs (55). His veteran presence is vital for a team looking to turn its fortunes around.
Spencer Horwitz has also been a consistent performer, hitting .260 with 9 home runs and 42 RBIs. His ability to get on base with an OBP of .338 provides a spark at the top of the lineup.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 10 Games: 1-9 (10.0%)
- Runline Last 10: 3-7 (30.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 2-8 (20.0%)
- SU in Away Games: 23-52 (30.7%)
- Runline as Underdog: 61-46 (57.0%)
- O/U as Underdog: 43-64 (40.2%)
Upcoming Matchup
In their upcoming game against the Chicago Cubs, the Pirates will start right-hander Johan Oviedo, who holds a 2-0 record with a 2.81 ERA. He will face off against Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd, who has a 13-8 record and a 3.05 ERA.
The Pirates will need a strong performance from Oviedo to counteract their recent offensive struggles, as they have been out-hit 23-7 in the first two games of the series against the Cubs.
Chicago Cubs Set to Continue Their Winning Streak Against the Pirates
Team Overview
The Chicago Cubs enter this game with a strong offensive performance, holding a batting average of .250, which ranks them 7th in the league. Their on-base percentage stands at .321, placing them 8th, indicating their ability to get runners on base consistently. Additionally, their slugging percentage of .428 ranks 6th, showcasing their power-hitting capabilities.
The Cubs have hit 203 home runs this season, ranking 8th in the league, and have demonstrated an ability to drive the ball with 250 doubles, ranking 7th. Their patience at the plate is highlighted by 521 walks, placing them 5th, while they’ve been aggressive on the bases with 153 stolen bases, ranking 3rd.
Key Players to Watch
Seiya Suzuki has been a significant contributor for the Cubs, with a batting average of .244 and 27 home runs, ranking him 2nd on the team. His 91 RBIs lead the team, emphasizing his importance in driving in runs. Michael Busch, playing at first base, boasts a .259 average and leads the team with 29 home runs, providing a consistent power threat.
Nico Hoerner stands out with a team-leading batting average of .301, showing his consistency at the plate. With 6 home runs and 59 RBIs, his contact hitting is complemented by his ability to drive in key runs. Dansby Swanson, at shortstop, provides a combination of power and speed with 22 home runs and 75 RBIs.
Pitching Performance
The Cubs’ pitching staff has been solid, with an earned run average of 3.82, ranking them 7th in the league. They have held opposing batters to a .240 average, placing them 8th in batting average against. Despite giving up 184 home runs, which ranks them 18th, they have managed 58 quality starts, ranking 8th, showing their ability to keep games competitive.
Matthew Boyd is set to start for the Cubs, bringing an impressive 3.05 ERA and a WHIP of 1.07. His record of 13-8 indicates his reliability as a starter. The Cubs bullpen has also shown effectiveness, with only 19 blown saves, ranking 3rd, demonstrating their ability to close out games successfully.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3 Games: 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU in Away Games: 41-35 (53.9%)
- Runline Last 5: 4-1 (80.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 3-7 (30.0%)
Recent Performance
The Cubs have been on a hot streak, winning their last three games, including a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. This recent success has brought them closer to securing a playoff berth. Their strong offensive output, coupled with solid pitching, has been the key to their recent victories.
With only 11 games remaining in the season, the Cubs hold a five-game lead over the San Diego Padres for home-field advantage in the Wild Card series. This potential playoff appearance would be their first time hosting playoff games at Wrigley Field since 2020.
Pirates vs Cubs Prediction: Cubs -160
The Chicago Cubs, currently holding an impressive 87-64 record, are riding a three-game winning streak and have been strong in their last ten games with a 6-4 record. They are second in the NL Central and looking to secure a playoff berth. With their strong recent form and motivation to clinch a playoff spot, they look poised to continue their success against the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates.
On the other side, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been on a dreadful run, losing their last three games and only winning once in their previous ten. Their overall record of 65-87 reflects their struggles, as they sit at the bottom of the NL Central. The Pirates’ recent form and division record suggest that they are unlikely to pose a significant challenge to the Cubs.
The Cubs have dominated the Pirates in recent head-to-head encounters, winning 8 out of the last 10 meetings, with an average margin of 1.6 runs. With Matthew Boyd (ERA: 3.05) on the mound, the Cubs have a reliable starter, while Johan Oviedo (ERA: 2.81) could struggle due to Pittsburgh’s current offensive woes, having been out-hit 23-7 in this series.
Considering these factors, the Cubs at -160 present a favorable pick for this matchup. Given the Cubs’ superior form and motivation, they are expected to secure a win with a projected final score of Cubs 4 – Pirates 2.
- Pirates vs Cubs Prediction: Cubs -160
- Pirates vs Cubs Score: Cubs 4 – Pirates 2
