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Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates August 15th 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates head to Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs. The Pirates have struggled recently with a record of 51-71 and are on a five-game losing streak. They sit at the bottom of the NL Central division. Their road record is 17-42, and they have found it tough to win away from home.
The Cubs are in a better position with a record of 68-52, holding the second spot in the NL Central. Their recent form shows a 4-6 record in the last ten games. The Cubs have a solid home record of 36-22. Colin Rea will start for the Cubs, while Braxton Ashcraft takes the mound for the Pirates. The game is set for a warm afternoon with scattered clouds in the sky.
Pirates vs Cubs Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs
- Venue: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL
- Date: Friday, August 15, 2025
- Betting Odds: Pirates Moneyline +168, Cubs Moneyline -200
The Pirates Can Win If…
The Pittsburgh Pirates recently played against the Milwaukee Brewers, where they lost 12-5. Despite the loss, Bryan Reynolds had a strong performance with two home runs and five RBIs. The Pirates collected 12 hits in that game, showing their ability to connect with the ball.
Looking at the season stats, the Pirates have some strengths that could help them win. Their stolen base rank is 11th, which shows they can be aggressive on the bases. Additionally, their pitching staff has held opponents to a .240 batting average, ranking 10th in the league.
Braxton Ashcraft will be starting on the mound for the Pirates. He has a solid ERA of 3.19, which gives the team a chance to control the game. With players like Bryan Reynolds and Andrew McCutchen in the lineup, the Pirates have the potential to put runs on the board.
The Cubs Can Win If…
The Chicago Cubs are ready to bounce back after a narrow 2-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite the loss, the Cubs showed strong pitching with Matthew Boyd allowing only two hits over seven innings. Michael Busch contributed with a home run, and Nico Hoerner added two singles, showing the team’s potential at the plate.
The Cubs have a solid chance to win with their strong batting stats. They rank 3rd in slugging percentage at .434 and are 6th in home runs with 170 this season. Their lineup features power hitters like Seiya Suzuki and Michael Busch, who can change the game with one swing.
Colin Rea will be on the mound for the Cubs, bringing a 9-5 record and a WHIP of 1.29. His recent performance against the Cardinals, where he allowed just one run over six innings, shows his capability. With a supportive home crowd and a strong lineup, the Cubs have the tools to secure a win against the Pirates.
The Lean
The Cubs are favored with a moneyline of -200, while the Pirates are at +168. The Cubs have a better batting average and slugging percentage this season. My model projects the Cubs to win with a score of 5-3. Based on these factors, the recommendation is to pick the Cubs to win straight up.
The total for the game is set at 9.0 runs, with the over at -114 and the under at -106. The model projects a total score of 8 runs. Given the pitching stats and projected score, the recommendation is to take the under for this game.
Stay Ahead of the Diamond
MLB Data & Insights
Cubs Host Lowly Pirates Before Pivotal Brewers Series
The Chicago Cubs open an eight-game homestand on Friday, starting with a three-game series against the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates before hosting the Milwaukee Brewers in a crucial NL Central showdown.
Chicago returns home after a 2-4 road trip that ended with a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. That defeat came when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. launched a two-run homer in the seventh inning to flip the score.
Bettors can find the latest MLB picks and scores & odds for this matchup before first pitch.
Probable Pitching Matchup
| Pitcher | Team | W-L | ERA | WHIP | Last Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colin Rea | Cubs | 9-5 | 4.09 | 1.21 | 6.0 IP, 1 ER vs. Cardinals |
| Braxton Ashcraft | Pirates | 3-2 | 3.19 | 1.13 | 3.1 IP, 1 ER vs. Reds |
Rea, the veteran right-hander, has found recent success against Pittsburgh. He allowed just two runs across 12 innings in two earlier starts this season, earning the win in an 8-3 Cubs victory on May 1 and taking a no-decision in a 3-2, 10-inning win on June 12.
The Cubs’ offense has been the main concern, scoring only seven runs across their last nine losses. Michael Busch provided a solo homer Thursday, but Chicago’s inability to sustain rallies remains an issue.
“We had a bunch of warning-track balls, but just couldn’t get an inning going, really at all,” manager Craig Counsell said.
Those tracking this matchup for betting purposes can also check the expert MLB betting guide for trends and analysis.
Team Performance Snapshot
| Team | Last 10 Games | Season Record | Runs Per Game | Runs Allowed Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cubs | 4-6 | 63-60 | 4.4 | 4.2 |
| Pirates | 3-7 | 50-73 | 3.9 | 5.1 |
The Pirates have dropped five straight, including a three-game sweep in Milwaukee where they were outscored 33-6. Wednesday’s 12-5 loss saw Bryan Reynolds break out for two homers and all five RBIs.
“We continue to battle, continue to have good at-bats,” interim manager Don Kelly said. “We need to carry that over to Chicago.”
Ashcraft, making his third start of the season, has already thrown two perfect innings at Wrigley Field this year in a relief appearance on June 14.
Chicago leads the season series 5-2 and will see the Pirates just once more this year after this weekend’s set.
