NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Pittsburgh opens this three-game set at Wrigley Field with a 7-5 record, while Chicago comes in at 6-6 and trying to build on back-to-back wins. First pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. ET on Friday, April 10. The Pirates have been the hotter team over the larger sample, but the Cubs are getting home-field support from the market, and the current board still makes Chicago a moderate favorite behind Shota Imanaga.
The pitching matchup is Carmen Mlodzinski for Pittsburgh against Imanaga for Chicago. Mlodzinski enters 0-0 with a 4.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts in nine innings, while Imanaga is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 11 strikeouts in 10 innings. The game-day weather in Chicago looks cool with a chance of light rain and a breeze, so this is one of those Wrigley spots where conditions matter, but the number on the board says books still expect a relatively controlled game.
Your Shortcut to the Sharp Side
Watch every verified capper’s move unfold across all major sports.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor the latest MLB odds because this market has Chicago around -152 to -153 with the total sitting at 6.5.
| Team | Moneyline | Run Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Pirates | +127 | +1.5 (-155) | O 6.5 (-120) |
| Chicago Cubs | -152 | -1.5 (+130) | U 6.5 (+100) |
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Form
The Pirates have been one of the better early surprises in the National League. They enter 7-5 overall, 3-3 on the road, and multiple previews note that the offense has taken a step forward, ranking in the top 10 in average, OPS, and home runs. ESPN’s matchup page shows Pittsburgh carrying a .247 batting average, .338 OBP, and 12 home runs into Friday, which is a better offensive baseline than Chicago’s through the first two weeks. That matters in an underdog spot at Wrigley because the Pirates are not relying on one hitter to save them every night.
Mlodzinski is the more volatile part of the handicap. Field Level Media notes he has produced two high swing-and-miss starts already, striking out 13 in nine innings, but he has not completed five frames in either outing. He allowed two runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings against Baltimore last weekend, and that profile makes him interesting for strikeout-related angles but a little shakier for a full-game dog unless Pittsburgh can get clean bullpen coverage behind him. The Pirates are also without Jared Jones, which still matters for overall staff depth even if it does not directly affect Friday’s start.
Chicago Cubs Betting Form
Chicago has been more inconsistent. The Cubs are 6-6 overall and 3-3 at home, and ESPN’s team comparison shows a weaker early slash line than Pittsburgh, with a .223 batting average and .312 OBP, though they do match up reasonably well in power with 13 home runs. The recent form is a little better, though. Bleed Cubbie Blue notes the Cubs are coming off a 6-2 win over Tampa Bay and are looking for a third straight win Friday. That probably explains part of the home support in the price.
Imanaga is the key piece on the Cubs side. He has not posted the cleanest surface line yet, but his WHIP is only 1.20, and Chicago is still treating him like a stabilizer in a series opener. Fox Sports’ preview specifically flags him as the arm the Cubs will trust against a Pittsburgh lineup that hurt them often in 2025. The bigger issue for Chicago is roster strain elsewhere. Your pasted injury list likely overstates some pieces, but the Cubs have been thin enough on the mound that a strong Imanaga start matters more than usual.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Matchup Breakdown
This game starts with whether you trust the starter skill or the lineup form more. Mlodzinski has better strikeout upside right now, but he has not worked deep, and Imanaga still feels like the cleaner overall bet to deliver six organized innings at home. At the same time, Pittsburgh has hit better than Chicago and comes in with the better overall record and stronger recent stretch. That is why this number is a little uncomfortable. The Cubs may deserve to be favored, but the gap is not enormous.
The total being 6.5 is the other thing that jumps out. That is a very low number for Wrigley, even in cool weather, and not everyone agrees with it. ESPN lists 6.5, while one model-based preview highlighted over 6.5 as a value play for Friday. Another betting source even flagged Pirates-Cubs as an NRFI target, which tells you the market expects the front half of the game to be tight. I think both can be true: low early scoring, then more chances once the starters exit or the wind turns slightly less friendly to pitchers. A good MLB betting guide would frame this as a game where derivative markets may be cleaner than the expensive side.
A few matchup edges stand out:
- Pittsburgh has been the better early offense by average and OBP.
- Chicago gets home field and the steadier starter profile.
- Mlodzinski has the bigger current strikeout rate but shorter expected leash.
- The 6.5 total suggests a lower-scoring setup, but some projection models still see over value.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Pittsburgh +1.5 rather than taking a side moneyline. The Pirates are hitting better, they have been the stronger team so far, and Mlodzinski has enough swing-and-miss stuff to keep this close even if he does not work especially deep. Chicago at home with Imanaga makes sense as a favorite, but the current price asks a little too much from a Cubs offense that has not been especially reliable yet.
On the total, I lean Over 6.5. I get why the market is low here, especially with the weather and the starter matchup, but 6.5 is just thin. A 4-3 game cashes it. Mlodzinski’s limited length, the possibility of one Wrigley inning getting loose, and the fact that at least one projection model identified over value all push me that way. I would not call it a huge edge, but it is the cleaner price-based angle on the board.
Best Bet: Over 6.5 (-120).
Track Every Line Move Before It Happens
Stay Ahead of the Public, Every Time
MLB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re betting baseball every day, it helps to compare more than one opinion. Some handicappers are better on sides, some on totals, and some on first-five or NRFI-style markets. Following top sports handicappers can help you identify who is actually producing over a long MLB sample instead of just riding a short run.
For a broader picture, the handicapper leaderboard lets readers compare long-term records and profit transparently, while buy expert picks is useful for bettors who want fuller daily MLB card coverage and more than one betting perspective.
