Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction & Picks - MLB

Prediction published on 8/17/25, 10:59 AM  by Carlos Zabala | Modified on 8/17/25 at 5:05 PM in MLB Picks

After Friday's 3-1 victory at Wrigley Field, the Cubs increased their lead in the home series against the Pirates to 6 games to 3 in 2025. The Pirates had taken Game 1, and Game 2 was tied 1-1 until Seiya Suzuki's key RBI single in the eighth inning. The Japanese player was then driven in by Hoener's RBI double. However, the Cubs' lack of offense in August is worrying; one devastating fact is that the Cubs scored only 3 or fewer runs in 10 of the 14 games this month.

Fortunately, they're playing against a very poor Pirates offense, but the Cubs face a five-game stretch, including a doubleheader with the Brewers, who furiously snatched the division lead from them.

After Imanaga got the first 10 outs in a row, he allowed a long home run to Pham, but the Japanese pitcher pitched seven innings of just one earned run and struck out six Pirates.

The Pirates have had a four-loss road trip so far against Milwaukee and Chicago; in three of those losses, they produced only one run or less.