Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Pick & Prediction for 5/25

MLB game preview

The Chicago Cubs are set to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in an MLB regular season game. The game will take place at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2026, at 1:35 PM. The Cubs come into this game with a record of 29-24, while the Pirates hold a 27-26 record.

The Cubs are facing a rough patch, having lost their last eight games. Their current streak places them third in the NL Central division. On the other hand, the Pirates are on a slightly better path with a recent win, putting them fifth in the same division. The weather forecast predicts a mild day with light rain, which might affect the game conditions.

Chicago Cubs Team Preview

The Chicago Cubs have had a rough patch in their recent games. They lost their last five games, with the most recent being an 8-5 loss to the Houston Astros. In that game, Shota Imanaga pitched for six innings and allowed seven earned runs.

Offensively, the Cubs have shown some power with home runs in two of their last five games. Michael Busch has been a key contributor, hitting two home runs in recent games. However, the team’s overall batting average sits at .238, which ranks 11th in the league.

The Cubs’ pitching has struggled, with an earned run average of 4.12, ranking them 15th. Ben Brown will start the next game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has a solid 2.09 ERA this season, giving the Cubs a chance for a better performance.

Cubs vs Pirates Game Day Info

  • Sport: MLB
  • Teams: Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
  • Date: Monday, May 25, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Cubs Moneyline -117, Pirates Moneyline -101

Pittsburgh Pirates Team Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are heading into their next game with mixed results in recent outings. They have secured wins against the St. Louis Cardinals and the Toronto Blue Jays. The team showed strength with home runs in their latest win against the Blue Jays, which ended 4-1 in their favor.

Brandon Lowe has been a key player for the Pirates this season. He leads the team with 13 home runs and 32 RBIs, holding a batting average of .260. Spencer Horwitz is another standout, with a .274 batting average and 23 RBIs.

The Pirates’ pitching has been solid, with Carmen Mlodzinski set to start against the Chicago Cubs. Mlodzinski has a 4-3 record with a 3.96 ERA this season. The team’s pitching staff holds an earned run average of 3.84, which ranks 11th in the league.

BTB Betting Pick

The Cubs are favored to win with a moneyline of -117. They have a slightly better on-base percentage and rank higher in home runs compared to the Pirates. The Cubs’ pitching has a higher ERA, but their batting stats give them the edge. The projected score is Cubs 5, Pirates 4, so picking the Cubs to win seems reasonable.

The total for the game is set at 8.0. Both teams have decent batting averages, with the Cubs slightly ahead. The Cubs’ higher ERA suggests runs could be scored. With a projected total of 9 runs, taking the over at 8.0 (-107) is a solid choice. This game might see more scoring than expected.