Day baseball at Wrigley Field is electric, and today’s Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs clash pits rookie Cade Horton’s wicked sweeper against a strikeout-prone Pirates lineup.
Horton has delivered the Ks for Chicago, and my Pirates vs. Cubs predictions are backing him to punch out more than a few Pirates today.
Read on for my MLB picks for Friday, June 13.
Pirates vs Cubs prediction
My Pirates vs Cubs best bet: Cade Horton Over 4.5 strikeouts (+100 at DraftKings)
Chicago Cubs righty Cade Horton has been a breath of fresh air to an injury-riddled starting rotation.
Horton has given the Cubs five or more innings of work in each of his past five starts. He’s shown brilliant command at times, and the strikeouts have followed.
Horton spots his strong four-seamer well enough to disguise a brutal sweeper that’s accumulated a 37.5% whiff rate, and that pitch could get 5+ punchouts today.
The Pittsburgh Pirates own a 22% strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. They struck out 10 times last night, and Horton and his sweeper are ripe to clear his low 4.5-strikeout total.
Horton and his sweeper could meet six Pirates today with strikeout rates north of 25%. Horton has pitched at least five innings in five consecutive starts and whiffed at least 5+ in three of his previous six starts.
Pirates vs Cubs same-game parlay (SGP)
Cade Horton 5+ strikeouts
Paul Skenes 6+ strikeouts
Cubs moneyline
Horton’s Ks are the core of our three-leg SGP, but Cy Young odds frontrunner Paul Skenes has struck out 7+ hitters in three straight games.
Skenes boasts 6+ Ks in seven consecutive starts. He brings electric stuff and should clear his 6+ strikeout total, as six Cubs bats boast 25% or higher swing-and-miss rates.
Chicago has won four of its last five games against Pittsburgh. They’ve also bested Skenes twice in three starts, and Chicago has won six of their previous seven at Wrigley Field.
Pirates vs Cubs odds
Pirates vs Cubs live odds
Pirates vs Cubs opening odds
- Moneyline: Pittsburgh -106 | Cubs -110
- Run line: Pittsburgh -1.5 (+164) | Cubs +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under: Over 7.5 (+100) | Under 7.5 (-120)
Pirates vs Cubs trend
The Cubs are 7-3 straight up across their last 10 games against the Pirates. Find more MLB betting trends for Pirates vs. Cubs.
How to watch Pirates vs Cubs and game info
| Location | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Friday, 6-13-2025 |
| First pitch | 2:20 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLB Network |
| Pirates starting pitcher | Paul Skenes (4-6, 1.88 ERA) |
| Cubs starting pitcher | Cade Horton (3-1, 4.11 ERA) |
Pirates vs Cubs latest injuries
Pirates vs Cubs weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
