Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Prediction & Picks - MLB

Prediction published on 6/13/25, 10:36 AM  by Erik Gibbs | Modified on 6/13/25 at 5:15 PM in MLB Picks

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs square off this afternoon at Wrigley Field, continuing their current series in a matchup that reflects the diverging trajectories of both National League Central teams. The Cubs, enjoying a strong season at home, enter the contest with a 21-11 record at Wrigley and a 5.5-game cushion atop the division. Meanwhile, the Pirates, despite recent signs of life, remain anchored in the NL Central cellar.

Chicago edged out Pittsburgh in a tightly contested 3-2 victory last night, a game defined by dominant pitching and limited offense. The Pirates managed only four hits and struck out ten times, struggling to generate any consistent momentum at the plate. That performance underscores a lingering issue for Pittsburgh: inconsistent run production, particularly on the road, where they have posted a dismal 9-23 record this season.

However, Pittsburgh has shown signs of improvement. Coming into this series, the Pirates took two out of three games from the Marlins and completed a three-game sweep of the Phillies. Overall, they have won five of their last seven games and six of their last ten. While they still sit at the bottom of the division, this stretch represents one of their more competitive runs of the season.