Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates August 16th 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Pirates hold a record of 52-71 and are ranked 5th in the NL Central. They recently snapped a losing streak with a win, but have struggled in their last 10 games, going 3-7.
The Cubs, with a 68-53 record, sit 2nd in the NL Central. Despite a strong season, they have lost their last two games and share the same 3-7 record over the last 10 games as the Pirates. The game will be played outdoors at Wrigley Field, with overcast skies and a light breeze expected.
Pirates vs Cubs Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs
- Venue: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL
- Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Betting Odds: Pirates Moneyline +185, Cubs Moneyline -222, Pirates Runline +1.5 (-111), Cubs Runline -1.5 (-110), Total Over 9.0 (-116), Total Under 9.0 (-104)
The Pirates Can Win If…
The Pittsburgh Pirates recently secured a 3-2 victory against the Chicago Cubs. Braxton Ashcraft pitched five solid innings, allowing just one earned run. Jack Suwinski’s home run was key in the win, and Jared Triolo contributed with two hits.
The Pirates’ offense has shown potential with their ability to produce hits. In their recent games, they recorded 12 hits against the Brewers and 16 hits against the Reds. Their lineup includes strong hitters like Bryan Reynolds, who has 13 home runs this season.
On the pitching side, the Pirates have a team ERA of 4.04, which ranks 17th. They also rank 9th in batting average against, limiting opponents to a .240 average. Mike Burrows will start the next game, looking to improve his record and build on his previous performances.
The Cubs Can Win If…
The Chicago Cubs recently played against the Pittsburgh Pirates, losing 3-2 at home. Colin Rea pitched five innings, allowing one earned run with five strikeouts. Pete Crow-Armstrong stood out, going 3-for-3 with one run and one RBI.
The Cubs have a strong lineup, ranking 4th in slugging percentage at .433 and 5th in home runs with 170. Seiya Suzuki leads the team with 27 home runs and 85 RBIs. Their ability to hit for power makes them a threat in any game.
Shota Imanaga will start for the Cubs, boasting an ERA of 3.19 and a WHIP of 0.97. His consistent performance on the mound gives the Cubs a solid chance to win. With Imanaga’s pitching and the Cubs’ power hitters, they have a good opportunity to secure a victory.
The Lean
The Cubs are favored to win with a moneyline of -222. My model projects the Cubs to win with a score of 6-3. The Cubs have a strong batting lineup, ranking 7th in batting average and on-base percentage, which gives them an edge over the Pirates.
The total for the game is set at 9.0 runs. My model predicts a combined score of 9 runs, which aligns with the current line. Given the Cubs’ strong offense and the Pirates’ pitching struggles, the over 9.0 at -116 is a reasonable pick.
Pirates Snap Skid, Eye Series Win at Wrigley
The Pittsburgh Pirates halted a five-game slide with a 3-2 win at Wrigley Field and now look to clinch the series on Saturday. Jack Suwinski’s opposite-field blast in the ninth delivered the opener and hinted at better underlying form than his season average shows. For more angles across today’s slate, scan the updated MLB picks.
Friday Recap: Suwinski’s Opposite-Field Jolt
Suwinski’s third homer of the year arrived in a high-leverage spot, the kind of swing manager Don Kelly highlighted postgame. Rookie Braxton Ashcraft set the tone with five steady innings, holding Chicago to one run on three hits. If you’re comparing matchups around the league, today’s capsule write-ups live on the MLB previews hub.
Saturday’s Probable Pitchers
Mike Burrows (1-4, 4.66 ERA) gets the ball for Pittsburgh after posting 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball with a career-best eight strikeouts in his last Wrigley start. Across the diamond, Shota Imanaga (8-5, 3.19) has blanked the Pirates over three career outings, allowing just 10 hits with 17 strikeouts in 19 scoreless innings. Those profiles raise the importance of early counts and putting the ball in play before Imanaga settles.
Hidden Swing Factors: Baserunning and Catcher Arms
Chicago’s aggression turned costly in the opener with multiple outs on the bases. Henry Davis’ throws flipped leverage late, and Pittsburgh will again try to neutralize the running game. Expect the Cubs to stay assertive, but cleaner execution is mandatory in a series defined by one-run margins.
Betting Lens: Why Another Tight Total Fits
The first four meetings at Wrigley this season finished 3-2 or 2-1, twice in extras. Pair that trend with Imanaga’s spotless record vs. Pittsburgh and Burrows’ prior success here, and this projects as another pitcher-forward game. For a deeper framework on totals, bullpen volatility, and late-inning variance, see the MLB expert betting guide. If you want curated selections, explore the latest offerings on buy picks and track who’s hottest on the best handicappers leaderboard.
Matchup Keys
• Pittsburgh’s first-trip swings vs. Imanaga to create early traffic.
• Burrows’ ability to reprise the elevated strikeout profile he showed at Wrigley.
• Chicago’s speed as a weapon without giving away 90 feet.
• Late-inning command and defense in a run-prevention environment.
Prediction
Low margin, few freebies, and high leverage from the sixth inning on. Slight lean to another one-run result with a low-total feel. After the final out, you can verify box scores, streaks, and splits on the MLB game results page.