Pirates vs Cubs Prediction 9/12/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article, we will formulate a Pirates vs Cubs Prediction for this MLB matchup on Saturday, September 12^th in the second game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Chicago Cubs Preview

The Chicago Cubs have a 82-66 record this season and are sitting in the 2nd place of the NL Central. They have a 42-31 home record and are coming off a 12-2 home win against the Pirates. They will face the Braves and the Reds next.

The Chicago Cubs have a .252 batting average this season, .340 OBP and .431 Slugging percentage. Chicago’s pitching staff has a 4.20 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. Pete Crow-Armstrong is the team’s best hitter with a .281 batting average, leading the team in RBI with 98 and adding a team-high 41 home runs.

Clay Holmes (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs, and he has a 6-7 record, 2.83 ERA and 1.12 WHIP.

Pittsburgh Pirates Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a 74-74 record this season and are sitting in the 3rd place of the NL Central. They have a 36-40 away record and are coming off a 2-12 road loss against the Cubs. They will face the Brewers and the Royals next.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a .253 batting average this season, .330 OBP and .402 Slugging percentage. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has a 4.18 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Nick Gonzales is the team’s best hitter with a .305 batting average. Brandon Lowe leads the team in RBI with 83 and adds a team-high 29 home runs.

Paul Skenes (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Pirates, and he has a 10-11 record, 3.83 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.

Pittsburgh Pirates @ the Chicago Cubs Betting Trends: September 12, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Clay Holmes      Record this season: 6-7      ERA: 2.83
• Home Record: 3-3
• Last 5 against Pirates: 0-1

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The home team has won each of the Cubs’ last five games.
• The Pirates have lost each of their last four games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line each of their last four games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in five of their last six games against the Pirates.
• The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have led after 3 innings in seven of their last eight home games.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Paul Skenes      Record this season: 10-11      ERA: 3.83
• Road Record: 4-6
• Last 5 against Cubs: 0-4

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Cubs have lost each of their last four games as home favorites against NL Central opponents following a win.
• The Pirates have won four of their last five games as underdogs.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last nine road games against the Cubs following a loss.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine games as home favorites following a win.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in five of their last six road games.
• The Pirates have won the first inning in three of their last four games against NL opponents.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in four of their last five day games against the Cubs.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Cubs’ last seven games as favorites against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Six of the Pirates’ last seven games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Pirates’ last four games against NL opponents.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in six of the Cubs’ last seven games as favorites against NL Central opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Pete Crow-Armstrong has hit at least one home run in five of the Cubs’ last nine games as home favorites.
• Clay Holmes has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances against NL Central opponents.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last nine games.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks 2nd in the league in Home Runs (41) this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances with the Pirates as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• Paul Skenes has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances in day games.
• Paul Skenes has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last eight appearances against NL Central opponents.
• Spencer Horwitz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances in day games against teams that held a winning record.
• Nick Gonzales ranks 5th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.305) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for runs scored this season (792).
• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for home runs this season (204).
• The Pirates rank 2nd in the league for hits this season (1287).
• The Pirates rank 2nd in the league for home runs allowed this season (142).

Pirates vs Cubs Prediction

The Cubs are 5-1 in their last 6 meetings against the Pirates and have won their last two meetings in Chicago.

In this Pirates vs Cubs Prediction, the Cubs are coming as -125 home favorites. It’s tempting to take Skenes as an underdog but he has been unstable lately and has a 4-6 record and 4.01 ERA on the road this season. Clay Holmes was excellent before his last dud and the Cubs have both a better offense and bullpen lately and I expect them to ride the momentum of yesterday’s 10-run victory and win this one as well.