Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Prediction, Odds and Picks for Sunday, 08/17/25

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs will square off on Sunday afternoon and we have a prediction right here. The Cubs’ offense has struggled of late. In fact, they are dead last in runs per game in the majors during a 13-game stretch — averaging just 3 runs per game. This is not something we’re used to seeing from Chicago. Taking the mound today will be Javier Assad, who is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA. 

For the Pirates, Carmen Mlodziski will get the nod; he enters with a 2-7 record and 4.20 ERA. This will be Mlodzinski’s 10th start of the season, but I don’t expect him to go deep into this matchup against the Cubs — forcing the Pirates to turn to their bullpen early on that has a 4.22 ERA on the season. At the end of the day, the Cubs are huge favorites, and I can see why. However, i simply don’t trust their offense production — which is why I’ll be expect the Pirates to keep this game close.

Pirates vs Cubs prediction: Pittsburgh +1.5 (-130) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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