Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Predictions June 12th 2025

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates June 12th 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates travel to Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The game is set for an 8:05 PM start under the lights. Fans can catch the action on SN PT. The Pirates, managed by Don Kelly, are struggling with a 28-41 record. They face a strong Cubs team led by Craig Counsell, who holds a 41-27 record. Andrew Heaney will start for the Pirates, while Jameson Taillon takes the mound for the Cubs. Weather conditions are expected to be mild with overcast clouds and a light breeze.

Pirates vs Cubs Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs
• Venue: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL
• Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025
• Betting Odds: Cubs MoneyLine -203, Pirates MoneyLine +169

The Pirates Can Win If…

The Pittsburgh Pirates come into the game after a 5-2 win over the Miami Marlins. Bailey Falter pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing just one run. Andrew McCutchen was key with a home run and three RBIs.

The Pirates’ pitching has been strong, with an ERA of 3.79, ranking them 14th in the league. Their batting average against is .233, putting them in the top 10. They have given up only 56 home runs, which ranks them third, showing their ability to limit power from opponents.

Andrew Heaney will start for the Pirates, with a solid ERA of 3.23. The Pirates also have speed on the bases, ranking fourth in stolen bases with 65. Their lineup includes Andrew McCutchen and Oneil Cruz, both capable of making big plays.

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The Cubs Can Win If…

The Chicago Cubs are looking to bounce back after a 7-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. In that game, Carson Kelly and Nico Hoerner both had two hits, contributing to the Cubs’ eight total hits. Despite the loss, the Cubs showed they can get on base, and they will aim to turn those hits into more runs in their next game.

The Cubs have strong team stats that could lead them to victory. They rank 3rd in batting average at .258 and 4th in slugging percentage at .443. With 94 home runs this season, they are 5th in the league, showing they have the power to score runs quickly.

Key players like Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong are crucial for the Cubs. Suzuki leads the team with 16 home runs and 56 RBIs, while Crow-Armstrong has a .271 average and 17 home runs. With Jameson Taillon starting, who has a solid 3.54 ERA, the Cubs have a good chance to control the game from the mound.

The Lean

The Cubs are favored to win with a moneyline of -203, while the Pirates sit at +169. The Cubs have strong hitting stats, ranking 3rd in batting average and 5th in home runs. The Pirates rank lower in these areas, making the Cubs a solid pick to win. My model projects the Cubs to win 5-3.

The over/under line is set at 7.5. Both teams have decent pitching, but the Cubs’ hitting strength suggests a higher scoring game. With the Cubs projected to score 5 runs and the Pirates 3, the total should exceed the line. My recommendation is to take the over.

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Cubs’ Jameson Taillon Looks to Stay Hot vs. Pirates

Chicago Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon is in the midst of one of the best stretches of his season and will look to keep it rolling Thursday night as the Cubs open a four-game home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Taillon (6-3, 3.54 ERA) has notched wins in each of his last four starts, posting a 1.69 ERA during that span. Yet, the veteran isn’t getting too comfortable.

“I’ve been going deep into games. I feel like I’ve been throwing pretty well,” Taillon said. “At the same time, I do feel like there’s room to get the sweeper better, I think the cutter could be better, get the fastball to be a little better. So, I’m always just working on things.”

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Taillon Focused on Continued Improvement

During his winning streak, Taillon has allowed just five runs on 15 hits over 26 2/3 innings. He was particularly sharp in his last outing, holding the Tigers to one run on four hits over seven innings for his fifth consecutive quality start.

Taillon’s attention to refining his pitches has played a big role in his recent success.

“You want to keep the foundation and understand what’s making me good and getting the good results,” Taillon said. “I don’t want to take for granted what I’m doing right now, but also I’m always looking to tinker and fix some things.”

The right-hander owns a 2-2 record with a 4.55 ERA in five career starts against Pittsburgh, the team he spent the first four seasons of his MLB career with.

Cubs Looking for a Bounce-Back Effort

Chicago will be eager to rebound after dropping a 7-2 contest to the Phillies on Wednesday, marking their third loss in four games. Nico Hoerner recorded an RBI double and collected two hits, as did Carson Kelly.

The Cubs did enjoy success against the Pirates earlier this season, winning two of three in Pittsburgh from April 29 to May 1. Kelly and Pete Crow-Armstrong both homered in that series.

Pirates Riding Momentum Into Chicago

Pittsburgh comes to Wrigley Field having won five of its past six games, capped by a 5-2 victory over the Marlins on Wednesday.

Veteran Andrew McCutchen provided the big blow with a three-run homer, the 241st of his Pirates career — moving him past Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente into third place on the franchise’s all-time list. McCutchen extended his hitting streak to five games, going 8-for-20 (.400) with a homer, six RBIs, and three runs in that span.

The Pirates will send left-hander Andrew Heaney (3-4, 3.24 ERA) to the mound Thursday. Heaney exited his last start with a calf cramp but is ready to go.

“I’m good,” Heaney said. “Just never had that before, but calf just kind of cramped up on me. Kind of a weird one.”

Heaney struggled in his last outing against the Cubs on April 29, allowing four runs on five hits over 4 2/3 innings. In two career starts versus Chicago, he is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA.

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