Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Predictions April 30th 2025

Cubs Aim to Keep Offense Rolling Against Pirates in Game 2

The Chicago Cubs are swinging hot bats, and they’ll look to keep the momentum going Wednesday night as they face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second game of a three-game set.

Cubs Offense Fires on All Cylinders

Chicago leads the National League in batting average and runs, and they flexed that muscle in Tuesday night’s 9-0 rout of Pittsburgh. All nine Cubs starters had at least one hit, and none struck out — a feat the team hadn’t achieved since July 3, 2013.

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Seiya Suzuki nearly hit for the cycle, launching one of four Cubs home runs on the night.

“It’s the reason I signed here and why we all believe to dream big,” said Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd.

Boyd (2-2, 2.54 ERA) will take the mound Wednesday, hoping for continued run support. In his five starts this season, he’s received seven runs of support in each of his two wins, but only two combined in his losses.

For bettors tracking momentum and matchup edges, check the latest MLB Game Outcomes for smart angles on backing Chicago’s red-hot offense.

Pirates’ Offensive Woes Continue

Pittsburgh enters Game 2 with the second-lowest team batting average in the NL at .224 and has already been shut out five times this season. The offensive disparity with the Cubs’ .263 average was on full display in Game 1.

Carmen Mlodzinski (1-3, 6.95 ERA) will start for the Pirates, transitioning from the bullpen amid rotation injuries. He’s struggled with fatigue and command in deeper innings, a concern highlighted after surrendering three runs in the fourth inning of his last start against the Angels.

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“It’s more the tight slider, and I’m not creating the space I need… so the slider can play better,” Mlodzinski said.

While he hasn’t started against Chicago, Mlodzinski does own a 2.45 ERA over 7 1/3 relief innings vs. the Cubs.