Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction, Odds, and Pitching Matchup – September 16, 2025

Tuesday, September 16th, 2025

Chicago Cubs Take on Pittsburgh Pirates for 12th Matchup of the Season

The Chicago Cubs (86-64), currently second in the NL Central, look to build on their three-game road win streak as they travel to face the Pittsburgh Pirates (65-86), who sit fifth in the division. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. EDT at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Pitching Matchup

The Cubs will send Cade Horton (10-4, 2.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 89 strikeouts) to the mound, while the Pirates counter with ace Paul Skenes (10-9, 1.92 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 203 strikeouts). Oddsmakers give the Pirates a slight advantage at -130, while the Cubs are at +109. The over/under for the contest is set at 7 runs.

Team Insights

Pittsburgh boasts a 42-34 record at home and ranks sixth in team ERA in the National League at 3.87. Despite their struggles this season, the Pirates’ pitching has kept them in games at PNC Park.

The Cubs have an impressive 40-35 record on the road and possess the seventh-best team ERA in the majors at 3.84. Chicago leads the season series against the Pirates 8-3, showing dominance in their head-to-head matchups so far in 2025.

Top Performers

For the Pirates, Bryan Reynolds leads the way with a .243 batting average, 35 doubles, three triples, and 15 home runs. Nick Gonzales has tallied 10 hits in his last 41 at-bats, driving in three runs over his past 10 games.

On the Cubs’ side, Nico Hoerner is posting a stellar .299 average with 29 doubles, four triples, six home runs, 37 walks, and 59 RBI. Ian Happ has delivered 11 hits in his last 38 at-bats, including three home runs and four RBI over the past 10 games.

Recent Form

The Pirates are trying to break out of a rough patch, having gone 1-9 in their last 10 games with a .174 team batting average and 3.78 ERA, while being outscored by 19 runs. The Cubs have found more success recently, going 6-4 with a .248 batting average, a 3.24 ERA, and outscoring opponents by 11 runs in their last 10 games.

Injury Report

The Pirates are dealing with injuries to Ronny Simon (shoulder), Endy Rodriguez (elbow), Enmanuel Valdez (shoulder), and Jared Jones (elbow), all currently on the injured list.

The Cubs are without Owen Caissie (concussion), Kyle Tucker (calf), Daniel Palencia (shoulder), Ryan Brasier (groin), Miguel Amaya (ankle), Eli Morgan (elbow), and Justin Steele (elbow) as they manage their injury list heading into the crucial series.

Weather

Today at PNC Park, expect mild baseball weather with a high near 72°F and mostly sunny skies. There's little chance of precipitation, so rain delays are unlikely. Winds will be light out of the southwest at around 7 mph, providing minimal impact on fly balls. Overall, it's an ideal day for a game.

In summary

The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates continue their NL Central rivalry in this 12th meeting of the season, with the Cubs holding the edge both in overall performance and in the season series. With strong pitching matchups, standout performances at the plate, and excellent weather conditions, fans can expect a competitive and entertaining game at PNC Park.

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