Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Predictions June 14th 2025

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates June 14th 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates travel to Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs in an afternoon game on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The first pitch is set for 2:20 PM, and the game will be broadcast on MARQ. Fans can expect overcast skies with a mild breeze, creating a comfortable atmosphere for this NL Central matchup.

The Pirates, managed by Don Kelly, have struggled this season with a 29-42 record. They have found it challenging on the road, holding a 10-23 record away from PNC Park. Meanwhile, the Cubs, led by Craig Counsell, have been strong with a 42-28 record, including a solid 21-12 at home. On the mound, Mike Burrows will start for the Pirates, while Matthew Boyd takes the hill for the Cubs.

Pirates vs Cubs Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs
• Venue: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL
• Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025
• Betting Odds: Cubs MoneyLine -231, Pirates MoneyLine +191

The Pirates Can Win If…

The Pittsburgh Pirates are coming off a tight 2-1 win against the Chicago Cubs. Paul Skenes pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only four hits and striking out five batters. Key contributions came from Oneil Cruz and Adam Frazier, each scoring a run, which helped secure the victory.

The Pirates’ pitching has been strong this season, with a team ERA of 3.74, ranking 12th in the league. Their ability to limit opposing teams to a .231 batting average is a significant factor.

The Pirates have also achieved 33 quality starts, placing them 3rd in the league, indicating consistent performances from their starters. Offensively, the Pirates have been aggressive on the bases with 68 stolen bases, ranking 4th in the league. Andrew McCutchen leads the team with six home runs and a .258 batting average. The combination of speed and power gives the Pirates a solid chance to win their next game.

The Cubs Can Win If…

The Chicago Cubs recently faced the Pittsburgh Pirates, losing 1-2 at home. Despite the loss, starter Cade Horton performed well, allowing no runs over 5 2/3 innings. Key hitters like Kyle Tucker and Ian Happ contributed with hits, but the team couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities.

The Cubs have solid stats this season that can lead them to victory. They rank 3rd in batting average and 4th in slugging percentage, showing their ability to get on base and hit for power. Their pitching staff also supports them with a 3.65 ERA, ranking 9th, which can keep the game close against opponents.

Matthew Boyd will take the mound for the Cubs with a strong 2.89 ERA. His performance can be a significant factor in the game. With hitters like Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong, who have 17 and 18 home runs respectively, the Cubs have the potential to put runs on the board and win the game.

The Lean

The Cubs are the favorite with a moneyline of -231. The Pirates are the underdog at +191. With the Cubs having a higher batting average and on-base percentage, the model projects a Cubs win. The projected score is Cubs 5, Pirates 3. The recommendation is to pick the Cubs to win straight up.

The current total line is set at 8.0 runs. The model projects a total score of 8 runs, with the Cubs scoring 5 and the Pirates 3. Given this projection, the recommendation is to take the under on the total. Both teams have solid pitching, which supports this pick.

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Cubs Out to Boost Run Production vs. Improving Pirates

The Chicago Cubs have been competitive in recent games, but a recurring offensive issue continues to plague them — capitalizing with runners in scoring position. They’ll try to change that narrative on Saturday in the third of a four-game set against the surging Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.

Friday’s 2-1, 10-inning loss highlighted the struggle. Chicago stranded nine runners and went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position. In their previous two losses, the Cubs went just 2-for-15 in similar situations.

“Look, we want to have a good process, that’s what you can control,” manager Craig Counsell said. “But that always involves swinging at balls — the right pitches — so that doesn’t change no matter who’s pitching, it’s always the same.”

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Searching for Timely Hits

Seiya Suzuki was the only Cubs hitter with multiple hits on Friday, but Pete Crow-Armstrong continues to show consistency. The 23-year-old has recorded a hit in nine of his 11 games this month and has yet to go more than two games without a hit this season.

He’s also drawing attention for his aggressive — yet effective — approach at the plate, boasting a 43.9% chase rate that’s well above league average, without a high strikeout rate to match.

“There’s really no clear way to attack him,” said Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon. “We all thought he was going to hit in the big leagues, but the power is crazy.”

Boyd Aims for First Win vs. Pirates

Veteran lefty Matthew Boyd (5-3, 2.89 ERA) will take the hill for Chicago. He was solid in his last outing, holding Philadelphia to two runs (one earned) over six innings.

Boyd has yet to win against Pittsburgh in his career, holding an 0-3 record with a 6.53 ERA in six starts. He pitched five innings of two-run ball in a no-decision at PNC Park back on April 30.

Pirates Building Momentum

Pittsburgh (winners of 7 of their last 10) are finding ways to win close games — four of those victories have come by a single run. Friday’s walk-off win came courtesy of Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who delivered a 10th-inning sacrifice fly.

Kiner-Falefa, who’s back at shortstop after missing time with a hamstring injury, is gradually rediscovering his rhythm.

“We got a long way to go,” he said. “Just doing the best I can out there, and I think it’ll get better.”

Right-hander Mike Burrows (1-1, 5.00 ERA) will make his first career appearance against the Cubs in just his sixth major league outing.

With both teams trending in different directions, now’s the time to dig into the latest MLB picks and betting predictions to uncover value plays for Saturday’s showdown.

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