The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Chicago Cubs on May 25, 2026. First pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on SportsNet PT.
The Cubs are favored by -116 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Pirates are -102 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 8 runs.
Find my MLB picks and Cubs vs Pirates prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Cubs vs Pirates Prediction
- Cubs vs Pirates Pick: Cubs ML (-120 or Better)
My Cubs vs Pirates best bet is on Chicago to win. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Cubs vs Pirates Odds, Run Line
| Cubs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +146 | 8 -112o / -108u | -116 |
| Pirates Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -176 | 8 -112o / -108u | -102 |
- Cubs vs Pirates moneyline: Cubs -116, Pirates -102
- Cubs vs Pirates over/under: 8 runs
- Cubs vs Pirates spread: Cubs -1.5
Cubs vs Pirates Probable Pitchers
| Ben Brown (RHP, CHC) | Stat | Carmen Mlodzinski (RHP, PIT) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | W-L | 4-3 |
| 1.1 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 1.2 |
| 2.09 / 2.62 | ERA / xERA | 3.96 / 4.64 |
| 2.36 / 2.95 | FIP / xFIP | 2.98 / 3.85 |
| 18.2% | K-BB% | 12.5% |
| 53.0% | GB% | 45.0% |
| .250 | BABIP | .338 |
| 105 | Stuff+ | 92 |
| 97 | Location+ | 106 |
Cubs vs Pirates MLB Betting Preview
Our own Sean Zerillo projects some value on the Cubs in this Memorial Day matchup.
While the consensus line sits around -120, Zerillo projects the Cubs north of -130, providing around a 2% edge against the market.
As a reminder, you can get all of Zerillo's PRO lines on the MLB projections tab.
Cubs vs Pirates Pick, Betting Analysis
The Cubs have lost eight straight, but they have to bounce back eventually. I imagine they’re rather depressed in the market.
After losing a few key arms to the injured list, Ben Brown is getting stretched out for the rotation, and he’s pitched well. Through three starts against the Rangers, Braves, and Brewers, Brown has tossed 13 innings of three-run ball with 16 strikeouts to four walks (2.08 ERA, 2.31 xFIP).
Meanwhile, Carmen Mlodzinski is a great pitcher his first time through the order (2.28 ERA0, but then he falls off after that (6.49 ERA second time, 8.68 third time).
Additionally, Pittsburgh deployed its top three highest-leverage arms on Sunday (Gregory Soto, Mason Montgomery, Yohan Ramirez), so the pitching plan is sure to fall apart as the game progresses.
Advantage Cubbies.
Pick: Cubs ML (-120 or Better)
