Chicago Cubs Aim to Extend Win Streak Against Pittsburgh Pirates: Game Preview, Odds, and Pitching Matchup for September 17, 2025

Wednesday, September 17th, 2025

Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park: Game Preview and Key Details

The Chicago Cubs (87-64, second in the NL Central) head to PNC Park to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (65-87, fifth in the NL Central) in a pivotal matchup. The Cubs look to extend their three-game win streak, while the Pirates aim to find momentum in the later part of the season.

Weather

Today at PNC Park, expect pleasant baseball weather with clear skies and a high near 74°F. There is little to no chance of precipitation, making for dry conditions throughout the game. Winds will be light out of the west at around 5-8 mph, unlikely to have a significant impact on play.

Pitching Matchup

For the Cubs, Matthew Boyd brings an impressive 13-8 record with a 3.05 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 146 strikeouts. The Pirates send Johan Oviedo (2-0, 2.81 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 29 strikeouts) to the mound, hoping to slow Chicago’s hot bats.

Betting Odds

The Cubs are currently favored at -168, while the Pirates are +141 underdogs. The over/under for the game is set at 8 runs.

Team Breakdown

The Pirates have posted a respectable 42-35 record at home this season. When notching eight or more hits in a game, Pittsburgh stands at 43-26, showcasing how a firing offense directly leads to their success.

Meanwhile, the Cubs have a solid 41-35 mark on the road and an overall record of 87-64. Chicago’s hitters operate with a combined .321 on-base percentage—sixth best in the National League—highlighting their ability to generate and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Season Series

This game marks the 13th meeting between these two NL Central rivals this season. The Cubs currently hold a strong advantage in the season series, leading 9-3.

Top Performers

Leading the Pirates, Oneil Cruz has blasted 19 home runs and maintains a slugging percentage of .386. Spencer Horwitz has contributed eight hits in his last 30 at-bats, including two home runs and three RBI over his last 10 games.

On the Cubs’ side, Nico Hoerner is batting .301 with six home runs, 37 walks, and 59 RBI this season. Carson Kelly is finding his rhythm recently, going 11-for-42 with a double, four home runs, and seven RBI in his past 10 games.

Recent Performance

Over the last 10 games, the Pirates have struggled with a 1-9 record, a .168 team batting average, and a 3.89 ERA. They’ve been outscored by 19 runs in that span. The Cubs, meanwhile, are 6-4 in their last 10, with a .256 batting average, 2.83 ERA, and have outscored their opponents by eight runs.

Injury Report

The Pirates will be without several players, including Ronny Simon (10-Day IL, shoulder), Endy Rodriguez (60-Day IL, elbow), Enmanuel Valdez (60-Day IL, shoulder), and Jared Jones (60-Day IL, elbow).

The Cubs are missing Owen Caissie (7-Day IL, concussion), Kyle Tucker (10-Day IL, calf), Daniel Palencia (15-Day IL, shoulder), Ryan Brasier (15-Day IL, groin), Miguel Amaya (10-Day IL, ankle), Eli Morgan (60-Day IL, elbow), and Justin Steele (60-Day IL, elbow).

In summary

The Chicago Cubs look to continue their dominance over the Pittsburgh Pirates in this season series, leveraging strong recent performances and consistent hitting. With a favorable pitching matchup and excellent weather conditions at PNC Park, fans can expect an exciting contest as the Cubs aim to solidify their playoff push and the Pirates seek a late-season turnaround. Stay tuned for what promises to be an engaging battle in the NL Central.

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