The Chicago Cubs host the Pirates Pirates at Wrigley Field in an NL Central Division clash on Thursday, June 12.
Chicago skidded to conclude its recent nine-game road trip, so returning to the Friendly Confines sets the North Siders up for a return to the win column. Here are my top Pirates vs. Cubs predictions and MLB picks for tonight's series opener.
Pirates vs Cubs prediction
My Pirates vs Cubs best bet: Cubs -1.5 (+112 at Pinnacle)
The Chicago Cubs crashed to the tune of a 1-3 stretch to finish their nine-game road trip, so returning to Wrigley Field with rolling righty Jameson Taillon toeing the rubber positions the North Siders for a comfortable win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Taillon has won four straight with a tidy 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP, and the Pirates check out as a favorable matchup with a 27th-ranked wOBA and dead-last ISO against right-handed pitchers.
The Cubs have also had their way with southpaws, so I’m anticipating Pirates lefty Andrew Heaney to have hiccups.
Chicago sports a seventh-ranked wOBA and fourth-ranked ISO against left-handed pitchers this season, and the Cubbies are also 20-11 with an average of 5.2 runs per home game. The Pirates, meanwhile, are just 9-22 on the highway with an average of 2.9 runs per game.
Pirates vs Cubs same-game parlay (SGP)
Cubs -1.5
Seiya Suzuki 2+ hits+runs+RBI
Andrew Heaney Under 3.5 strikeouts
Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki has mashed lefties this season with a .469 wOBA, .385 ISO, and 1.123 OPS, and he’s also perfectly positioned in the three-hole of the Chicago lineup. Additionally, Suzuki is also ripe for a breakout showing with respective .283, .150, and .648 marks across 10 June games.
Returning to Heaney, strikeouts have been few and far between for the lefty, and he’s fanned three batters or fewer in six of his past eight starts. His 6.47 K/9 and 17.5 K%, rank 13th- and 15th-lowest out of the 76 qualified starting pitchers this season.
Pirates vs Cubs odds
Pirates vs Cubs live odds
Pirates vs Cubs opening odds
- Moneyline: Pittsburgh +165 | Chicago -200
- Run line: Pittsburgh +1.5 (-130) | Chicago -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-110) | Under 7.5 (-110)
Pirates vs Cubs trend
The Chicago Cubs have hit the run line in 33 of their last 61 games (+6.72 Units / 9% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Pirates vs. Cubs.
How to watch Pirates vs Cubs and game info
| Location | Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois |
| Date | Thursday, 6-12-2025 |
| First pitch | 8:05 p.m. ET |
| TV | CHSN, SCHN |
| Pirates starting pitcher | Andrew Heaney (3-4, 3.24 ERA) |
| Cubs starting pitcher | Jameson Taillon (6-3, 3.54 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.
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