Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates VS Chicago Cubs 2025-06-13

The eternal struggle of the NL Central, where teams seemingly stuck in neutral try to outdo each other in a game of "meh." But on this lovely summer evening, the Chicago Cubs (41-27) will host the Pittsburgh Pirates (28-41) at the iconic Wrigley Field. Let's dive into the juicy details.

The Cubs: America's Favorite Second Team

The Cubs are cruising, folks, with a stellar 71.1% win rate when favored on the moneyline this season. Their offense is a well-oiled machine, ranking second in the league with 5.6 runs per game. They're also crushing it at home, with a potent lineup featuring the likes of Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Seiya Suzuki. Jameson Taillon (6-3, 3.54 ERA) will take the mound, looking to keep the Pirates' bats at bay.

The Pirates: A Team in Transition (or Regression)

Meanwhile, the Pirates are... well, they're trying. With a dismal 28-41 record, they're last in team slugging percentage and 29th in home runs. Their offense is a anemic 3.2 runs per game, which doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Andrew Heaney (3-4, 3.24 ERA) will start for the Pirates, hoping to contain the Cubs' potent lineup. Key players like Oinel Cruz, Bryan Reynolds, and Andrew McCutchen will need to bring their A-game to keep the Pirates in this one.

The Numbers Don't Lie

The Cubs are favored (-180) for good reason. They're the better team on paper, with a significant edge in offense and pitching. The Pirates, on the other hand, are a sizeable underdog (+162). Historically, underdogs win about 41% of the time in baseball, which doesn't bode well for the Pirates.

Best Bet: Cubs -1.5 (-1.49) on FanDuel

Given the Cubs' dominance at home and their overall superiority, I recommend taking the Cubs -1.5 runs on FanDuel. This bet offers a reasonable price, and the Cubs have shown they can put up crooked numbers at Wrigley Field. With Taillon on the mound, I expect the Pirates to struggle to score.

Under 7.5 (-1.82) on FanDuel

If you're feeling conservative, consider taking the under 7.5 runs. Both teams have shown a tendency to go under in recent games, and the Pirates' offense is no threat to light up the scoreboard. Heaney and Taillon are both capable pitchers, which could lead to a lower-scoring affair.

There you have it, folks. The Cubs are the clear favorite, and for good reason. Take the Cubs -1.5 and enjoy the evening at Wrigley Field.

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