Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Pick & Prediction for 5/28

MLB game preview

The Chicago Cubs will visit the Pittsburgh Pirates for an MLB regular-season game. The game will take place at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA. Fans can tune in on MARQ at 6:40 PM on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

The Cubs come into the game with a record of 30-26 and are ranked second in the NL Central. The Pirates have a record of 29-27 and are ranked fifth in the same division. Colin Rea will start for the Cubs, while Paul Skenes will pitch for the Pirates.

Chicago Cubs Team Preview

The Chicago Cubs recently faced the Pittsburgh Pirates and had mixed results. They won one of their recent games by a score of 10-4. In that game, Ian Happ and Michael Conforto were key contributors with home runs.

In another game against the Pirates, the Cubs faced a tough loss, 12-1. Despite the loss, Alex Bregman managed to get two hits. Jordan Wicks, the starting pitcher, struggled by allowing eight earned runs in just over four innings.

Overall, the Cubs have shown some strong hitting stats this season. They rank second in on-base percentage in the league. However, their team batting average stands at .238, ranking them 11th in the league.

Cubs vs Pirates Game Day Info

  • Sport: MLB
  • Teams: Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
  • Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Cubs +144, Pirates -172

Pittsburgh Pirates Team Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates have shown varied performances in their recent games. They had a big win against the Chicago Cubs on May 26th, with a score of 12-1. However, they also faced a loss on May 27th, with the Cubs winning 10-4.

In their games, the Pirates have relied on strong hitting and pitching. Brandon Lowe has been a key player with a batting average of .269 and 14 home runs. Paul Skenes, their starting pitcher, has a solid record with a 3.00 ERA and 65 strikeouts.

Looking at their team stats, the Pirates rank well in batting average and on-base percentage. They are 4th in the league with a batting average of .252 and 3rd in on-base percentage at .332. Their pitching also holds up, with a team ERA of 3.81, placing them 11th in the league.

BTB Betting Pick

The Pirates are favored on the moneyline at -172. Their strong pitching, with an ERA ranked 11th, gives them an edge. The Cubs have a higher ERA and rank lower in batting average, making the Pirates a solid pick to win.

The total for the game is set at 7.5. Both teams have decent hitting stats, but the Pirates’ pitching is strong. A projected score of Pirates 4, Cubs 3 suggests the game will stay under the total. The under 7.5 at -113 looks like a good bet.