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Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs September 16th 2025
The Chicago Cubs will visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. The Cubs have a record of 86-64 and are on a two-game winning streak. They are ranked second in the NL Central Division. The Pirates hold a record of 65-86 and have lost their last two games. They are currently fifth in the division.
Chicago will have Cade Horton on the mound. He has a 2.70 ERA and a WHIP of 1.11. The Pirates will counter with Paul Skenes, who holds a 1.92 ERA and a WHIP of 0.92. The game will be played outdoors, with the weather forecast predicting a warm day and broken clouds. The first pitch is set for 6:40 PM and will be broadcast on SN PT.
Cubs vs Pirates Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
- Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
- Betting Odds: Cubs Moneyline +111, Pirates Moneyline -130, Cubs Runline +1.5 (-201), Pirates Runline -1.5 (+167), Total Over 7.0 (-103), Total Under 7.0 (-117)
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Pirates’ Paul Skenes, Cubs’ Cade Horton clash in duel of young stars
The Chicago Cubs Can Win If…
The Chicago Cubs are coming off a 4-0 win over the Pirates, powered by Jameson Taillon’s six scoreless innings and home runs from Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch. Their recent success shows how balanced contributions from pitching and power hitting can set the tone in September.
The Cubs rank 6th in MLB with a .427 slugging percentage and 7th with 202 home runs. Their ability to score in bunches makes them dangerous, especially when combined with a bullpen that has been holding leads more consistently down the stretch.
Cade Horton gets the start with a 2.70 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. As a top Rookie of the Year candidate, Horton has shown composure in big moments, including five no-hit innings earlier this month against Atlanta. If he matches Skenes pitch for pitch, Chicago’s power bats can make the difference.
The Pittsburgh Pirates Can Win If…
The Pittsburgh Pirates will rely on Paul Skenes to bounce back from their 4-0 loss in the opener. Skenes has been brilliant this season with a 1.92 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 203 strikeouts, ranking second in the NL. He’s coming off back-to-back scoreless starts and gives Pittsburgh its best chance to even the series.
Offensively, the Pirates lean on veterans and emerging players. Andrew McCutchen provides leadership with 13 home runs, while Spencer Horwitz adds contact and patience with a .260 average and nine homers. Pittsburgh ranks 8th in walks, an approach that could help wear down Horton and generate scoring opportunities.
The Pirates’ pitching staff ranks 11th in ERA and 6th in batting average against at .236. If Skenes can limit Chicago’s home-run threats and the lineup delivers timely hits, the Pirates have the tools to secure a much-needed win.
The Lean
According to the latest MLB odds, the Pirates are -130 favorites, while the Cubs are priced at +111. My model projects a 4-3 Pirates win, with Skenes’ dominance giving Pittsburgh the edge. With both teams sending young stars to the mound, this projects as a tight, low-scoring duel.
The total is set at 7.0 runs, with the over at -103 and the under at -117. Both Horton and Skenes have shown the ability to shut down opposing lineups, and Chicago’s bullpen has improved lately. My projection lands on 7 runs exactly, making the under the recommended play. For more guidance, bettors can review MLB Picks and the Expert MLB Betting Guide.
Key Betting Trends
| Team | Last 10 Games | Moneyline Record | Over/Under Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs | 7-3 | 6-4 | 4-6 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 2-8 | 2-8 | 5-5 |
The Cubs have surged in September, winning five of their last six, while the Pirates have dropped nine of their last ten. Bettors backing Pittsburgh are essentially trusting Skenes to carry them, as the rest of the roster has struggled.
Players to Watch
| Player | Team | Stat Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Cade Horton | Cubs | 2.70 ERA, 10-4 record |
| Michael Busch | Cubs | HR in opener, 20+ on season |
| Pete Crow-Armstrong | Cubs | HR in opener, top defensive center fielder |
| Paul Skenes | Pirates | 1.92 ERA, 203 K, 2nd in NL strikeouts |
| Andrew McCutchen | Pirates | 13 HR, veteran presence |
| Spencer Horwitz | Pirates | .260 AVG, gap hitter with 9 HR |
Horton has been a rookie sensation, while Busch and Crow-Armstrong provide power and defense. For Pittsburgh, Skenes is the clear X-factor, but McCutchen’s leadership and Horwitz’s ability to get on base will also be key.
Game Preview Recap
The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates feature one of the most exciting young pitching matchups of the season with Cade Horton facing Paul Skenes. Both pitchers have Rookie of the Year credentials, and both are capable of carrying their teams deep into games.
Horton has impressed since joining the rotation in May, and his ability to pitch efficiently under a pitch limit has been crucial for the Cubs’ playoff push. Skenes, meanwhile, continues to dominate with strikeouts and elite command, emerging as one of MLB’s top young arms.
Chicago’s offense, led by Busch, Crow-Armstrong, and Cody Bellinger, has provided timely power to support its rotation. Pittsburgh has struggled to string together wins, but Skenes’ outings have been a consistent bright spot.
With both teams sending young stars to the mound, this matchup has the feel of a playoff-style duel. Fans and bettors can track updates in real time with MLB Scores & Odds while consulting the Expert MLB Betting Guide for deeper analysis.
