Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction & Picks - MLB

USA - MLB

Chicago Cubs
9/12/26 14:20
Pittsburgh Pirates

Prediction:

 

Over 8.5 runs

-133
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 by Simon Day | in MLB Picks

If you want evidence of how unpredictable MLB is, look no further than Friday's opening matchup between the Cubs and Pirates.

Coming into the game, the Cubs were on a four-game losing streak, whilst the Pirates had WON four in a row. However, the form book was completely flipped on its head as Chicago produced one of their best displays of the season to trounce their NL Central rivals 12-2. 

Pittsburgh will have Paul Skenes (10-11, 3.83 ERA) starting for Saturday's second game, whilst Chicago will look to secure the series with Clay Holmes (6-7, 2.83 ERA) on the mound. If the Cubs can secure another victory, it will move them nine games ahead of the Pirates, and more importantly, it will keep them in the driving seat for a National League wild card berth. 

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Form

Table

Teams Pts P W L
6 Chicago Cubs
0.554 148 82 66
14 Pittsburgh Pirates
0.5 148 74 74

Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates Latest Matches

Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs Latest matches
W L L L L W
Victories

2/6 (33%)

Defeats

4/6 (67%)

Sep 11, 2026 - MLB

Chicago Cubs
12 :  2
Pittsburgh Pirates

Sep 9, 2026 - MLB

Milwaukee Brewers
8 :  6
Chicago Cubs

Sep 8, 2026 - MLB

Milwaukee Brewers
4 :  3
Chicago Cubs

Sep 7, 2026 - MLB

Milwaukee Brewers
4 :  3
Chicago Cubs

Sep 6, 2026 - MLB

Miami Marlins
10 :  3
Chicago Cubs

Sep 5, 2026 - MLB

Miami Marlins
5 :  6
Chicago Cubs
L W L L W W
Victories

3/6 (50%)

Defeats

3/6 (50%)

Sep 11, 2026 - MLB

Chicago Cubs
12 :  2
Pittsburgh Pirates

Sep 3, 2026 - MLB

Chicago Cubs
2 :  1
Milwaukee Brewers

Sep 2, 2026 - MLB

Chicago Cubs
5 :  9
Milwaukee Brewers

Sep 1, 2026 - MLB

Chicago Cubs
4 :  9
Milwaukee Brewers

Aug 31, 2026 - MLB

Chicago Cubs
17 :  3
Milwaukee Brewers

Aug 30, 2026 - MLB

Chicago Cubs
5 :  7
Cincinnati Reds
W W L L L L
Victories

2/6 (33%)

Defeats

4/6 (67%)

Sep 9, 2026 - MLB

Milwaukee Brewers
8 :  6
Chicago Cubs

Sep 8, 2026 - MLB

Milwaukee Brewers
4 :  3
Chicago Cubs

Sep 7, 2026 - MLB

Milwaukee Brewers
4 :  3
Chicago Cubs

Sep 6, 2026 - MLB

Miami Marlins
10 :  3
Chicago Cubs

Sep 5, 2026 - MLB

Miami Marlins
5 :  6
Chicago Cubs

Sep 4, 2026 - MLB

Miami Marlins
1 :  6
Chicago Cubs
Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates Latest matches
L W W W W L
Victories

4/6 (67%)

Defeats

2/6 (33%)

Sep 11, 2026 - MLB

Chicago Cubs
12 :  2
Pittsburgh Pirates

Sep 10, 2026 - MLB

Chicago White Sox
0 :  2
Pittsburgh Pirates

Sep 9, 2026 - MLB

Chicago White Sox
2 :  4
Pittsburgh Pirates

Sep 8, 2026 - MLB

Chicago White Sox
3 :  9
Pittsburgh Pirates

Sep 6, 2026 - MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates
1 :  0
Los Angeles Angels

Sep 5, 2026 - MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates
1 :  6
Los Angeles Angels
W L W W L W
Victories

4/6 (67%)

Defeats

2/6 (33%)

Sep 6, 2026 - MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates
1 :  0
Los Angeles Angels

Sep 5, 2026 - MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates
1 :  6
Los Angeles Angels

Sep 4, 2026 - MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates
1 :  0
Los Angeles Angels

Sep 3, 2026 - MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates
5 :  2
San Francisco Giants

Sep 2, 2026 - MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates
4 :  5
San Francisco Giants

Sep 1, 2026 - MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates
13 :  12
San Francisco Giants
W W W W W L
Victories

5/6 (83%)

Defeats

1/6 (17%)

Sep 11, 2026 - MLB

Chicago Cubs
12 :  2
Pittsburgh Pirates

Sep 10, 2026 - MLB

Chicago White Sox
0 :  2
Pittsburgh Pirates

Sep 9, 2026 - MLB

Chicago White Sox
2 :  4
Pittsburgh Pirates

Sep 8, 2026 - MLB

Chicago White Sox
3 :  9
Pittsburgh Pirates

Aug 30, 2026 - MLB

St. Louis Cardinals
4 :  5
Pittsburgh Pirates

Aug 29, 2026 - MLB

St. Louis Cardinals
2 :  6
Pittsburgh Pirates

Chicago Cubs against Pittsburgh Pirates : Head to Head (H2H)

Chicago Cubs

83 %

Pittsburgh Pirates

17 %

Sep 11, 2026 - MLB

Chicago Cubs
12 :  2
Pittsburgh Pirates

Jul 26, 2026 - MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates
8 :  7
Chicago Cubs

Jul 25, 2026 - MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates
0 :  11
Chicago Cubs

Jul 24, 2026 - MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates
2 :  3
Chicago Cubs

May 28, 2026 - MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates
2 :  7
Chicago Cubs

May 27, 2026 - MLB

Pittsburgh Pirates
4 :  10
Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks

Chicago Cubs - Pittsburgh Pirates Key Points

  1. There have been over 8.5 runs in 6 of the last 7 Cubs-Pirates matchups
  2. Chicago have scored 39 runs in their last 5 home games
  3. Pittsburgh have conceded 30 runs in their last 3 games against Chicago
  4. There have been over 11 runs in 6 of the Cubs last 7 games

Our Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction

If the series opener is anything to go by, we look set for plenty of fireworks on Saturday afternoon.

The Cubs were outstanding in Game One, especially on offense. And whilst the Pirates failed to fire with the bat on Friday, their recent form suggests that they are more than capable of scoring big in Game Two. 

There is some value in the generous odds of 2.50 on the game featuring at least 11 runs, but if you're looking for an ultra-safe bet, just take the 1.75 over on the 8.5 run line. 

Our prediction for Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates is: Over 8.5 runs. 

Prediction:

 

Over 8.5 runs

-133
$350 offered for betting!

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All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.