Cubs vs Pirates Prediction 8/16/25 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, August 16th at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 68-53 this year after they lost game one in this series by a score of 3-2 on Friday afternoon. Chicago tied the game at one in the fourth and at two in the seventh, but couldn’t find anymore offense in the loss. The Cubs recorded six hits in the game and they were led by Crow-Armstrong and Shaw, who both had one RBI in the loss. Chicago started Rea, who allowed three hits and one earned run over 5.0 innings, while Palencia picked up the loss in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Cubs lost two out of three against the Blue Jays and two out of three against the Cardinals. Chicago has lost four of their last five games and they are currently second in the NL Central standings. The Chicago pitching staff has a 3.85 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and a .244 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 607 runs with a .251 batting average and a .320 on base percentage this season. Seiya Suzuki has led Chicago with 27 home runs and 85 RBIs, while Pete Crow-Armstrong has added 27 home runs and 79 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Shota Imanaga, who is 8-5 with a 3.19 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP over 96.0 innings pitched this year. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 52-71 this season after they won game one in this series on Friday afternoon. Pittsburgh led 1-0 and 2-1, but they needed a run in the top of the ninth to sneak away with the victory. The Pirates recorded six hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by McCutchen, Suwinski, and Kiner-Falefa, who all had one RBI in the win. Pittsburgh started Ashcraft, who allowed three hits and one earned run over 5.0 innings, while Mattson blew the save, but Santana got the win. 

Prior to this series, the Pirates lost all three against the Brewers and split four games with the Reds. Pittsburgh has lost five of their last six games and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 4.04 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and a .240 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 435 runs with a .232 batting average and a .303 on base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz has led Pittsburgh with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added 13 home runs and 61 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Mike Burrows, who is 1-4 with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP over 67.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Cubs will beat the Pirates

• The Pirates have lost each of their last 10 Saturday games at Wrigley Field.
• The Cubs have won seven of their last eight day games against NL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games after playing the previous day.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in six of their last seven day games following a loss.
• The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six road games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in five of their last six road games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Cubs’ last six games as favorites against the Pirates have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Twenty-three of the Pirates’ last 28 day games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Cubs’ last eight games as favorites.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Pirates’ last five day games against NL Central opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Shota Imanaga has recorded a win in each of his last four home appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
• Dansby Swanson has hit a home run in six of his last 11 appearances with the Cubs as favorites against the Pirates.
• Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last nine day games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Shota Imanaga has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his five previous home appearances against NL Central opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Tommy Pham has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 appearances in day games.
• Jack Suwinski has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances at Wrigley Field against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.

Cubs vs Pirates Prediction 

Chicago stumbles into this contest after struggling in recent series and they have scored two runs or fewer in four of their last five games. The Cubs are 36-23 at home this year, while the Pirates are just 18-42 on the road. Pittsburgh snapped their losing streak on Friday and they are starting Burrows, who has allowed 10 earned runs and eight hits in his last two starts. Chicago is going with Imanaga, who has allowed 3, 1, 3, and 7 earned runs in his last four. I don’t like this pitching matchup and I certainly don’t like the Cubs offense right now, but Imanaga is the better option and the Pittsburgh lineup is bad. Take the Cubs by at least two here.