Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Predictions April 29th 2025

Cubs vs Pirates Game Preview: New Series, Same Urgency

When the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates open their three-game series Tuesday night at PNC Park, it’ll be less about their standings in the NL Central and more about breaking recent skids. The Cubs may be sitting atop the division and the Pirates at the bottom, but both are coming off two straight losses, each hoping to reset.

Chicago had been cruising with five wins in six games, including an impressive sweep of the Dodgers, before the Philadelphia Phillies came to town and snapped their rhythm. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh split a six-game California trip, taking two from the Los Angeles Angels but struggling against the Dodgers. Their weekend losses were particularly frustrating given the momentum they had built.

To follow the evolving series odds, check the updated MLB odds page where pregame lines, totals, and live betting options are available.

Heaney vs Imanaga: A Lefty Duel Brewing

Although neither team had officially announced its Game 1 starter by Monday afternoon, a rotation check suggests we could be in for a fascinating lefty-versus-lefty duel. If schedules hold, it’ll be Andrew Heaney for the Pirates facing off against Shota Imanaga for the Cubs.

Heaney is coming off a dominant stretch. The veteran southpaw hasn’t allowed a run over his last 16 1/3 innings and enters the week ranked fourth among National League starters in ERA at 1.72. He’s also among MLB leaders in fewest hits allowed per nine innings. His last start? A masterpiece—one hit over six scoreless frames with nine strikeouts and no walks to shut down his former team, the Angels.

While Heaney has only faced the Cubs once in his career, dating back to 2016 with the Angels, his recent rhythm suggests he’s found something—especially in terms of pitch control and sequencing. “The fastball was in a good spot. The changeup worked. The sinker was good. I flipped in some curveballs too,” he explained, confident in his mix.

To dive deeper into Heaney’s pitch metrics, visit the MLB expert betting guide which breaks down pitcher performance and matchup advantages across the league.

On the other side, Imanaga hasn’t had it quite as easy recently. The Japanese lefty allowed five runs in his most recent start against the Dodgers, giving up three homers and failing to make it out of the sixth. Initially, some of the damage was scored as unearned due to a fielding error, but a postgame scoring change gave the Dodgers full credit for the hit that extended the inning. Still, the Cubs bailed him out in a thrilling 11-10 extra-inning win.

Despite that, Imanaga’s track record against the Pirates is outstanding. In two career starts, he has allowed no runs and just four hits over 14 innings, striking out 14. The lefty clearly feels comfortable against Pittsburgh’s current roster and will be eager to bounce back under more favorable circumstances.

Cubs Offense: Best in Baseball?

The Cubs head into Pittsburgh with MLB’s most productive offense. They currently lead the league in hits (265), runs scored (172), and RBIs (169), posting a team slash line of .260/.340/.444. It’s been a breakout year for a group that combines power, speed, and consistency.

Kyle Tucker has been especially dynamic, slashing .289/.397/.579 while leading the team with seven homers and 25 RBIs. Supporting him are young standouts like Pete Crow-Armstrong, who’s hitting .286 with five homers, and Seiya Suzuki, who’s slugging .530 with 23 RBIs. This deep, balanced lineup has proven capable of erasing deficits quickly and wearing down pitchers by working counts and hitting gaps.

This offensive dominance has made them a favorite among bettors and DFS players alike. Get real-time analysis on their top batters from the MLB picks section, featuring trends, projections, and lineup breakdowns.

Pirates Relying on Pitching While Offense Searches for Spark

While the Cubs rely on firepower, the Pirates’ strength lies in their rotation. Andrew Heaney and rookie ace Paul Skenes have emerged as the duo to anchor Pittsburgh’s starting staff. The offense, however, is still catching up.

Ke’Bryan Hayes continues to show flashes at the plate and in the field, while Connor Joe and Jack Suwinski have delivered timely hits. But the Pirates need more from the middle of their lineup if they hope to keep up with teams like Chicago. Their .241 team batting average ranks in the bottom third of the National League, and their home run production has been inconsistent.

If they can strike early and give their pitchers a cushion, the series could become far more competitive than the standings suggest.

Explore Pittsburgh’s season trends and compare them with league averages on the MLB team page for detailed stats, schedules, and more.

Follow Your Team in Real-Time

Register

Get Free Trial

Looking Ahead: Series Stakes

This may just be an early May matchup, but the implications are notable. For the Cubs, it’s a chance to extend their division lead, stay hot on the road, and build on their offensive chemistry. For the Pirates, it’s about defending their home turf, flipping momentum, and proving they can hang with the division’s best.

Both teams understand the stakes. Cubs manager David Ross has emphasized the importance of starting road trips with tone-setting wins, especially after home letdowns. Pirates manager Derek Shelton is leaning into the pitching matchups to buy his offense time to settle in.

And while the standings show contrast, the recent play suggests we’re in for a competitive series.

Series Stat Snapshot

FAQs

When is Game 1 between the Cubs and Pirates?
Tuesday night at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Who are the likely starting pitchers?
Andrew Heaney (PIT) vs. Shota Imanaga (CHC), both left-handers.

Which offense is hotter right now?
Chicago leads MLB in most major offensive categories, including hits, runs, and RBIs.

What makes Heaney’s recent stretch so dominant?
He hasn’t allowed a run in his last 16.1 innings and ranks fourth in ERA among NL pitchers.

Can the Pirates rely on Imanaga’s past struggles?
Not likely—Imanaga has never allowed a run against Pittsburgh in two career starts.

Where can I find expert picks for this series?
Head over to the MLB Picks Page for expert predictions, betting angles, and value plays.