Cubs vs Pirates Prediction 7/25/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article, we will formulate a Cubs vs Pirates Prediction for this MLB matchup on Saturday, July 25^th in the second game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Pittsburgh Pirates Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a 53-51 record this season and are sitting in the 3rd place of the NL Central. They have a 27-25 home record and are coming off a 2-3 home loss against the Cubs. They will face the Dbacks and the Reds next.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a .260 batting average this season, .338 OBP and .422 Slugging percentage. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has a 4.23 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Nick Gonzales is the team’s best hitter with a .312 batting average. Brandon Lowe leads the team in RBI with 65, adding a team-high 21 home runs.

Paul Skenes (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he has a 9-8 record, 3.43 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.

Chicago Cubs Preview

The Chicago Cubs have a 58-45 record this season and are sitting in the 2nd place of the NL Central. They have a 28-23 away record and are coming off a 3-2 road win against the Pirates. They will face the Cardinals and the Yankees next.

The Chicago Cubs have a .244 batting average this season, .337 OBP and .411 Slugging percentage. Chicago’s pitching staff has a 4.23 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. Pete Crow-Armstrong is the team’s best hitter with a .285 batting average, adding a team-high 22 home runs. Dansby Swanson leads the team in RBI with 59.

Shota Imanaga (L) is the projected starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, and he has a 6-8 record, 3.91 ERA and 1.11 WHIP.

The Chicago Cubs @ Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends: July 25, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Paul Skenes      Record this season: 9-8      ERA: 3.43
• Home Record: 5-4
• Last 5 against Cubs: 1-3

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Cubs have lost seven of their last eight road games following an extra innings win.
• The Pirates have won each of their last five night games at PNC Park following an extra innings loss.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 games against National League opponents following an extra innings loss.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight night games against NL Central opponents following a win.
• The Pirates have won the first inning in each of their last five Saturday games as home favorites.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in five of their last six games as favorites.
• The Cubs have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four night games against NL Central opponents.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Shota Imanaga      Record this season: 6-8      ERA: 3.91
• Road Record: 2-4
• Last 5 against Pirates: 2-0

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won 10 of their last 11 games as road underdogs against the Pirates.
• The Pirates have lost each of their last six games as favorites against the Cubs following a loss.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in seven of the last eight games between the Cubs and Pirates.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games as favorites against the Cubs following a loss.
• The Cubs have won the first inning in six of their last eight games.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Pirates’ last eight games as favorites against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Each of the Cubs’ last four night games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in eight of the Pirates’ last nine games.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in eight of the Cubs’ last nine games as underdogs.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Esmerlyn Valdez has hit at least one home run in three of the Pirates’ last four games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
• Paul Skenes has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances.
• Paul Skenes has recorded seven or more strikeouts in 11 of his last 12 appearances with the Pirates as favorites against NL opponents.
• Marcell Ozuna has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 appearances with the Pirates as favorites.
• Nick Gonzales ranks 4th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.312) this season.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Ian Happ has hit a home run in three of his last four road appearances against the Pirates after playing the previous day.
• Shota Imanaga has recorded six or more strikeouts in four of his five previous appearances against the Pirates.
• Alex Bregman has recorded at least one hit in each of his 10 previous road appearances against the Pirates after playing the previous day.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks T5th in the league in Steals (25) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (941).
• The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (941).
• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (451).
• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (451).

Cubs vs Pirates Prediction

The Cubs have won their last three meetings against the Pirates and are 5-2 in their last 7 visits in Pittsburgh.

In this Cubs vs Pirates Prediction, the Pirates are coming as -135 home favorites. I like the Pirates in a bounce back spot at home today with Skenes on the mound, who has been back on track lately after a long slump, having given up two runs or less in each of his last three starts. Imanaga has also been in good form but will face the second-best offense in baseball and I don’t trust him on the road and the Pirates have been torching lefties in their last 10 games, averaging 6.9 runs per game. Take the Pirates in this one.