Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Predictions September 15th 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs September 15th 2025

The Chicago Cubs will visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Cubs hold a record of 85-64 and are second in the NL Central. They have won one game in a row and are 5-5 in their last ten games. The Pirates have a record of 65-85 and sit in fifth place in the division. They have lost their last game and are 2-8 over their last ten games.

This night game on Monday, September 15, 2025, starts at 6:40 PM. The Cubs will start Jameson Taillon, who has a 4.15 ERA and a 9-6 record. The Pirates will counter with Braxton Ashcraft, who has a 2.47 ERA and a 4-2 record. The weather forecast predicts a warm day with a light breeze and broken clouds. Fans can catch the game on SN PT.

Cubs vs Pirates Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
• Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
• Date: Monday, September 15, 2025
• Betting Odds: Cubs Moneyline -135, Pirates Moneyline +114, Cubs Runline -1.5 (+127), Pirates Runline +1.5 (-151), Total Over 8.0 (-116), Total Under 8.0 (-104)

The Cubs Can Win If…

The Chicago Cubs recently won against the Tampa Bay Rays with a score of 4-3. Ian Happ hit a home run and Nico Hoerner drove in three runs, showcasing their batting skills. Shota Imanaga pitched five innings with nine strikeouts, helping secure the victory.

The Cubs have been strong in the power department, ranking 7th in home runs with 200 this season. They also rank 6th in slugging percentage at .427, indicating their ability to hit for power. Their lineup includes players like Seiya Suzuki and Michael Busch, both with 27 home runs, adding depth to their offense.

On the pitching side, the Cubs have a solid starter in Jameson Taillon, who has a 4.15 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Their bullpen has been reliable, with the team ranking 3rd in blown saves, showing their ability to close out games. With a balanced attack of hitting and pitching, the Cubs have the tools to win their next game.

The Pirates Can Win If…

The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to bounce back after a narrow 4-3 loss to the Washington Nationals. In that game, Oneil Cruz and Nick Gonzales delivered key hits, with Gonzales driving in two runs. Braxton Ashcraft will take the mound for the Pirates, bringing his impressive 2.47 ERA to the game against the Cubs.

The Pirates’ pitching has been strong this season, ranking 10th in ERA at 3.87. Their ability to limit opposing teams’ batting average to .236 is a key factor in their success. With Ashcraft’s solid performance on the mound, the Pirates have a good chance to control the Cubs’ offense.

Offensively, the Pirates have shown flashes of power with players like Oneil Cruz, who has 19 home runs. Spencer Horwitz and Andrew McCutchen also contribute to the lineup’s depth. The Pirates’ balanced attack can create scoring opportunities and put pressure on the Cubs’ pitching staff.

The Lean

The Cubs are favored with a moneyline of -135 against the Pirates at +114. The Cubs have a stronger hitting lineup, ranking 8th in batting average and 6th in slugging percentage. The Pirates struggle in these areas, ranking 17th and 24th, respectively. My model projects a score of Cubs 5, Pirates 3. Therefore, the pick is for the Cubs to win straight up.

The total for the game is set at 8.0 runs, with the over at -116 and the under at -104. Both teams have similar earned run averages, but the Cubs’ higher slugging percentage suggests they can score more. My model projects a total of 8 runs, matching the line. Given the Cubs’ offensive strength, the recommendation is to take the over 8.0 runs.

Key Offensive Stats

Pitching Comparison

Cubs Push for Playoffs

Nine years ago, Jameson Taillon was a pitching prospect with Pittsburgh, part of a core that the Pirates hoped would turn around the long-suffering franchise.

Fast forward to Monday and Taillon will take the mound, looking to help another one of baseball’s most famously tortured franchises get back to the playoffs — and the right-hander will do so against the team that first turned to him nearly a decade ago.

The Cubs (85-64) will take the field 5 1/2 games behind the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers, but also sitting in the first wild-card spot in the NL, 10 games ahead of the San Francisco Giants — the first team out of a wild-card berth. Chicago is looking to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2020.

Explore more insights, lines, and totals at our MLB picks page and get complete baseball odds and scores before placing your bets. Plus, sharpen your game with our expert betting guide.

Taillon (9-6, 4.15 ERA), a nine-year veteran who has played for the Pirates, Yankees and Cubs, will be making his second start since being activated from the injured list. In his first game back on Wednesday, he gave up two runs on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings.

Taillon is 3-2 with a 4.25 ERA in 36 innings over six career starts against the Pirates, who took him No. 2 overall in 2010.

Pirates Showcase Future Talent

Opposing him will be rookie righty Braxton Ashcraft (4-2, 2.47). Postseason dreams have long been extinguished for the Pirates (65-85), but they still have a chance to test their younger talent.

Ashcraft will face the Cubs for the third time in his debut season. In previous outings, he allowed one run over five innings and retired all six batters in relief during another appearance.

Ashcraft’s recent performances suggest he’s ready to handle a bigger role in the Pirates’ rotation heading into the future.

Stay tuned to the full MLB teams overview for updates and team breakdowns as the postseason approaches.