Pittsburgh Pirates @ Chicago Cubs Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 8/15/2025 2:20 PM EDT

We have your Pittsburgh Pirates @ Chicago Cubs prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Pittsburgh Pirates hit the road to face the Chicago Cubs.

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Chicago Cubs Pick

Best Moneyline Odds: Chicago Cubs -200 (BetMGM), Pittsburgh Pirates +175 (BetRivers)
Best Spread Odds: Chicago Cubs -1.5 (+100) (Caesars), Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5 (-115) (ESPN BET)
Best Total Odds: Over 8.5 (-124) (Fanduel), Under 9.0 (-105) (Caesars)

Game Info

Date: 2025-08-15
Time: 2:20 PM EDT
Location: Wrigley Field
TV: -

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Chicago Cubs Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates (51-71) are set to visit Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs (68-52) in what promises to be a pivotal NL Central matchup. The Pirates are currently in a significant slump, having lost five straight games and holding a dismal 17-42 road record, placing them at the bottom of the NL Central division. Their offense has struggled, averaging just 3.54 runs per game, ranking 29th in MLB. Despite this, their pitching staff has shown some resilience, holding opponents to a .240 batting average, which ranks 10th in the league.

The Chicago Cubs, on the other hand, are in a much stronger position, sitting second in the NL Central and holding a Wild Card spot. They boast a solid 36-22 home record, though their recent form has been a bit shaky with a 4-6 record in their last ten games. The Cubs' offense has been a strength this season, ranking 3rd in slugging percentage (.434) and 6th in home runs (170). However, they have also experienced recent offensive struggles, batting just .221 in their last 10 games and scoring only seven runs across their last nine losses.

On the mound, the Pirates will start Braxton Ashcraft (3-2, 3.19 ERA, 1.13 WHIP), who has been a bright spot for Pittsburgh and has covered the spread in both of his starts as an underdog this season. For the Cubs, veteran right-hander Colin Rea (9-5, 4.09 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) will take the hill. Rea has been effective at home, holding a 6-1 record with a 3.21 ERA at Wrigley Field this season, and his team is 12-7 against the spread when he starts.

Wrigley Field itself is expected to play a role in this contest. Historically known as a hitter's park, it has surprisingly played as one of the most pitcher-friendly venues this season, with an overall park factor of 97 and a home run factor of 97. The forecast for today includes winds blowing in from left field at 8-10 mph, which should further suppress offensive production.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

The Chicago Cubs have held a clear advantage over the Pittsburgh Pirates in their season series, leading 5-2. In these matchups, the Cubs have outscored Pittsburgh 31-19. Four straight games between these two teams have been decided by a narrow margin. Looking at recent betting trends, the Cubs are 2-4 against the spread in their last six games when playing Pittsburgh, while the Pirates are 1-5 straight up in their last six games against Chicago. Cubs pitcher Colin Rea has found success against the Pirates this season, allowing just two runs across 12 innings in two previous starts, earning a win in one and a no-decision in the other. Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft has also had a brief, perfect relief appearance at Wrigley Field against the Cubs earlier this year.

Pick: Under 9.0 Total Runs

widget-odds-mlb-ou-11936-PIT-CHC

Considering the pitching matchup, recent offensive struggles for both teams, and the surprising pitcher-friendly nature of Wrigley Field, the Under 9.0 total runs is a compelling pick. The model projects a total score of 8 runs, aligning with this expectation. Wrigley Field's overall park factor of 97 and home run factor of 97, combined with winds blowing in from left field, create an environment conducive to lower-scoring games. The Pirates' offense ranks 29th in MLB in runs per game, and while the Cubs have strong season-long offensive numbers, they have been in a slump recently, batting just .221 over their last ten games. Both Braxton Ashcraft and Colin Rea have shown the ability to limit runs, especially Rea at home. Sharp money also appears to be leaning towards the under, further supporting this pick.

Top Player Prop Picks

Bryan Reynolds To Record a Hit

widget-props-mlb-11936-6266274

Bryan Reynolds has demonstrated strong form recently, recording a hit in his last four games. More notably, he has an exceptional historical matchup against Cubs pitcher Colin Rea, boasting a .471 batting average with 8 hits in 17 at-bats, including two doubles and two home runs. This strong individual performance against the opposing pitcher makes him a solid candidate to get a hit in this game. Odds: -

Colin Rea Over 5.5 Strikeouts

widget-props-mlb-11936-6264204

Cubs pitcher Colin Rea faces a Pittsburgh Pirates lineup that has shown a tendency to strike out frequently, ranking 27th in the league in strikeouts per game. This high strikeout rate from the Pirates' offense provides a favorable opportunity for Rea to exceed 5.5 strikeouts in this outing. Odds: -

Seiya Suzuki Over 1.5 Total Bases

widget-props-mlb-11936-6264245

Seiya Suzuki is a significant power threat in the Cubs' lineup, tied for 10th in MLB with 27 home runs and 8th in RBI with 85. While his past encounter with Braxton Ashcraft is a small sample size, Suzuki's overall season performance and the Cubs' strong slugging percentage (.434, 3rd in MLB) indicate his capability to accumulate multiple bases through extra-base hits or multiple singles. Odds: -