Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 09/15/25

It is Roberto Clemente day across Major League Baseball as the sport celebrates one of the premier players the game has ever seen. His former club, the Pittsburgh Pirates, are set to host their divisional rival Chicago Cubs Monday evening. Braxton Ashcraft is set to start this game for the Pirates, marking his 24th appearance and 7th start of his career. Through 58.1 innings of work the right-hander has posted a 2.47 ERA and 1.20 WHIP while earning 56 strikeouts along the way. His recent outings have not lasted very long but he should at least provide the Pirates with a few solid innings to start the game.

Jameson Taillon is a former Pirate, but the 33-year-old is 6 years removed from his stint with Pittsburgh. Taillon has enjoyed a solid career including a decent 4.15 ERA across 110.2 innings of work this season for the Cubs. The right-hander is allowing just 1.11 walks and hits per inning pitched and he enters this game in strong form with no more than 2 earned runs allowed in any of his last 4 starts. I expect a lower scoring game in this matchup.

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates prediction: Under 8 (-105) available at time of publishing. Playable at that price.