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Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates August 17th 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates will take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sunday, August 17, 2025. The game is set to start at 2:20 PM. The Pirates have a record of 52-72 and are ranked 5th in the NL Central. They have struggled recently, going 3-7 in their last 10 games. Carmen Mlodzinski will start for the Pirates, with an ERA of 4.20.
The Cubs, with a 69-53 record, hold 2nd place in the NL Central. They are on a one-game winning streak and have gone 4-6 in their last 10 games. Javier Assad will be on the mound for the Cubs, carrying an ERA of 9.00. The weather forecast predicts a warm day with light rain and a breeze blowing out. Fans can catch the game on SN PT.
Pirates vs Cubs Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs
- Venue: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL
- Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025
- Betting Odds: Pirates Moneyline +167, Cubs Moneyline -200
The Pirates Can Win If…
The Pittsburgh Pirates recently played against the Chicago Cubs and lost 3-1. Mike Burrows started the game, pitching five innings and allowing one earned run. Tommy Pham hit a home run, and Jared Triolo contributed with two hits.
The Pirates have shown potential with their batting stats. They rank 17th in batting average and 12th in stolen bases. Their ability to get on base and create scoring opportunities can lead to a win.
In the upcoming game, Carmen Mlodzinski will start for the Pirates. He has an ERA of 4.20, which is competitive against the Cubs’ starter, Javier Assad, who has an ERA of 9.00. With Mlodzinski on the mound, the Pirates have a chance to keep the Cubs’ offense in check.
The Cubs Can Win If…
The Chicago Cubs are coming off a 3-1 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Shota Imanaga was strong on the mound, going seven innings with six strikeouts. Kyle Tucker and Nico Hoerner led the offense with two hits each, helping the Cubs secure the victory.
The Cubs’ offense ranks high in slugging percentage, standing 3rd in the league with .433. They also have a solid home run tally, ranking 5th with 170 homers. This power could be a key factor in their upcoming game.
Seiya Suzuki is a standout for the Cubs, with 27 home runs and 86 RBIs this season. Michael Busch and Nico Hoerner also provide strong batting averages of .263 and .294, respectively. With these players in form, the Cubs have a good chance to win their next game.
The Lean
The Cubs are favored with a moneyline of -200. My model projects the Cubs to win with a score of 5-3. The Cubs have a stronger batting average and slugging percentage compared to the Pirates, which supports this pick.
The total for the game is set at 8.0 runs. My model projects a total score of 8 runs. Given the Cubs’ solid batting and the Pirates’ struggles, I recommend taking the over at 8.0 (-107), as both teams have potential to score runs.
Future Odds Shifting?
See Updated MLB Futures
Cubs Look to Spark Offense in Series Finale vs. Pirates
The Chicago Cubs are still searching for consistent offense in August, but Saturday’s late rally may give them the momentum they need heading into the rubber match of their three-game set with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
After being held in check for much of the night, the Cubs broke through late to earn a 3-1 win on Saturday at Wrigley Field. Seiya Suzuki delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning, followed by a clutch insurance RBI from Nico Hoerner.
“When the lineup’s been struggling a little bit, these games are a great opportunity to create momentum,” Suzuki said through an interpreter. “The hope is we’ll keep it going.”
Chicago has scored three runs or fewer in 10 of its 14 games this month, continuing a frustrating offensive drought.
“This is a good baseball team that’s proven itself,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “We haven’t scored some runs in a little bit of a stretch here. We will, because this is a good offense.”
Cubs Searching for a Spark
One player looking to find his rhythm again is Kyle Tucker. Since the All-Star break, Tucker has hit just .198, including .170 in August. His two hits on Saturday marked his first multi-hit game in nearly a week after an 0-for-14 slump.
“We’re still a really good team regardless of how the last couple weeks have gone,” Tucker said. “We’re still in a playoff hunt right now … our goal is to grind out the season, get to the playoffs and try to win from there.”
The Cubs currently hold the top National League wild-card spot, but maintaining it will require the bats to wake up soon.
Pitching Matchup: Assad vs. Mlodzinski
The finale sets up as a test for Javier Assad, who returned from injury this week. Assad made his season debut Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays, surrendering four runs across four innings.
Despite the rocky return, Assad has a strong history vs. Pittsburgh, going 2-0 with a 2.66 ERA in four career starts against the Pirates.
The Pirates will counter with Carmen Mlodzinski, who will serve as an opener in what’s expected to be a bullpen game. Mlodzinski has been effective against Chicago, logging 13 1/3 career innings with a 2.70 ERA.
| Pitching Matchup (Aug. 18, 2025) | ERA | Record | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Javier Assad, Cubs (RHP) | 9.00 | 0-1 | First start since injury; 2-0 vs. PIT career |
| Carmen Mlodzinski, Pirates (RHP) | 4.20 | 2-7 | Serving as opener; bullpen game expected |
The Pirates’ bullpen also has a new look after Andrew Heaney was reassigned there following a difficult stretch as a starter. Over his past 10 outings, Heaney allowed 39 runs (37 earned) and 13 home runs.
“I’ve been in the game long enough to know that you get opportunities that you earn, and I haven’t earned it,” Heaney admitted.
Keys to the Finale
For the Cubs, getting an early lead could be vital. Chicago’s lineup has been pressing, and scoring first would ease pressure in front of the home crowd. Meanwhile, the Pirates must find a way to deliver with runners in scoring position.
“We just have to find a way to get the big base hit,” Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly said. “It’s something that we’ve talked about a lot. Finding ways to stay gap to gap, keep the line moving and come up with that big hit.”
Both teams enter Sunday’s matchup trying to shake off August slumps. The Cubs want to ignite their offense and protect their wild-card positioning, while the Pirates are simply trying to play spoiler and build for the future.
