Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs – Odds & Best Bets: Cubbies Back at Wrigley After Roadtrip

A couple of National League Central teams face off for the second time this season as the Chicago Cubs host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field this evening.

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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs: MLB Best Bets

Early in the season, the Cubbies went to PNC Park to face the Pirates. Chicago successfully won that series taking two of three from their hosts, winning 9-0 in Game 1, losing 4-3 in Game 2, but then winning 8-3 in Game 3. Now the two divisional rivals begin a four-game weekend series in the Windy City.

Matchup Information – Pirates vs. Cubs – June 12

• Venue & Location: Wrigley Field (Chicago, IL)
• Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025
• First Pitch: 8:05 p.m. Eastern

Pitching Matchup

• Pittsburgh Pirates: Andrew Heaney (3-4, 3.24 ERA, 1.15 WHIP)
• Chicago Cubs: Jameson Taillon (6-3, 3.54 ERA, 0.98 WHIP)

Pirates vs. Cubs Betting Odds

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Run Line

• Pirates +1.5 (-129)
• Cubs -1.5 (+109)

Moneyline

• Pirates +174
• Cubs -193

Total

• Over 7.5 (+100)
• Under 7.5 (-120)

The Pirates are one of the worst teams on the road this season. They post a 9-22 record on the road and are just 28-41 overall, and recently they've been way too hot for my liking. They've won five of their last six overall, including sweeping the Phillies at PNC Park. Pittsburgh was outscored 20-7 in their last series with Chicago, and with the Cubs finally coming home after a long road trip, I think they handle business.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs Best Bets

Pirates vs. Cubs Prediction: Cubs Win, Over 7.5

Best Bets: Cubs -1.5 (+110) Bovada

The Cubs just went on a nine-game road trip that wasn't much fun. They went 2-1 against the Nationals, but then lost both series to the Tigers and Phillies. Now they get to come home after facing three very tough teams, and get to pick on the little brother of their division. Chicago leads the NL Central by five games, and have a +103 run differential this season. They are 20-11 at home, they beat or competed against the Pirates in all three games on the road earlier this year, and Pittsburgh has been way too good for too long.

Jameson Taillon is on the bump for the Cubs and he is much more comfortable at Wrigley. Not only has he allowed just five earned runs in his last four starts (26.2 innings pitched), but his 3.54 ERA drops to 2.70 in Chicago. His 0.98 WHIP is 11th in MLB already, and at home it drops to 0.77. Pittsburgh's team batting average drops from a bad .229 to a worse .216 on the road this year. Everything is adding up for us.

On the mound for the Pirates will be lefty Andrew Heaney. Now the Cubs don't blow up lefties, but they hit well at home and he is certainly less comfortable pitching on the road. Earlier this year, the Cubs ripped Heaney for four runs on five hits as he lasted just 4.2 innings in a 9-0 loss. I think the Chicago bats could get to him again and never look back when the bullpen is brought in.

Give me the Cubs by two tonight at home.

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