Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction 8-25-23 MLB Picks

The Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet in game two of their four-game NL Central division series in MLB action from PNC Park on Friday. The Cubs continued their dominance of the Pirates in extras on Thursday, can they get another here? Let’s dive in and find out.

Cubs Get Another W Over Pirates

The Chicago Cubs had a scare in their series opener against the Pirates but managed to sneak out a 5-4 win in extra innings on Thursday. The win pushed the Cubs to 67-61on the year, sitting 3 games back in the NL Central while holding onto the second Wild Card spot in the National League. Nico Hoerner leads the Cubbies with 138 hits along with 62 RBIs and a .278 batting average this season while Patrick Wisdom has belted a team-high 20 home runs for the Cubs this season. Ian Happ also leads the Cubs in two-baggers with 23 doubles this season, tied with Hoerner. Dansby Swanson has 64 RBIs while Cody Bellinger’s added a team-high 68 RBIs and a .320 batting average this season.

Chicago Cubs Team Facts

• The Cubs have won each of their last eight games against the Pirates.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line each of their last eight night games against teams that held a losing record.
• The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Cubs' last eight road games against National League opponents.
• The Cubs have led after 7 innings in each of their last seven Friday road games.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Dansby Swanson has hit at least one home run in three of the Cubs' last five games against NL Central opponents.
• Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Cubs' last four games against NL Central opponents.
• Seiya Suzuki has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Cubs' last five games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Seiya Suzuki has scored at least one run in each of the Cubs' last seven games.
• Kyle Hendricks has recorded five or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances with the Cubs as favorites against NL opponents.
• Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs' last 11 games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
• Cody Bellinger ranks 5th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.320) this season.

Pirates Continue To Struggle Vs. Cubs

The Pittsburgh Pirates have not been able to get out from under the rock over top of them named the Chicago Cubs after losing their 7th straight meeting with the Cubs. The loss dropped the Pirates to 57-71 on the year, sitting 10 games back in the NL Wild Card Race and 13.5 games back in the NL Central. Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with 119 hits and 62 RBIs with a .264 batting average while Jack Suwinski has a team-high 21 home runs and 54 RBIs this season. Andrew McCutchen also has a team-best .377 OBP this season. Mitch Keller will start this one for the Pirates and is 10-8 with a 4.22 ERA and 173 strikeouts this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates Team Facts

• The Pirates have lost each of their last six games against the Cubs following a loss.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last seven home games following a loss.
• The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Pirates' last four games as home underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in four of their last six games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have led after 7 innings in four of their last six games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Ke'Bryan Hayes has hit a home run in three of the Pirates' last five night games against NL opponents that held a winning record.
• Ji-Hwan Bae has recorded an RBI in four of his five previous appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a winning record.
• Ke'Bryan Hayes has scored a run in each of the Pirates' last six games as home underdogs.
• Mitch Keller has recorded seven strikeouts in three of his four previous appearances against the Cubs at PNC Park.
• Ke'Bryan Hayes has recorded two or more total bases in five of his last six appearances against NL opponents.
• Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in nine of his last 10 home appearances against the Cubs after playing the previous day.
• Mitch Keller ranks 7th in the league for total Strikeouts (173) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pittsburgh Pirates ranks 3rd in the league for walks this season (454).
• The Pittsburgh Pirates ranks 27th in the league for hits this season (999).
• The Chicago Cubs ranks 5th in the league for runs scored this season (641).
• The Chicago Cubs ranks 5th in the league for RBI's this season (614).

Chris’ Pick

I’m looking at the Cubs here. I’m simply at a point with the Pirates where until they beat the Cubs, I’m not deviating from something that’s paid off seven straight times between these two this season. Chicago’s had some hiccups here and there, but they’re also in the more desirable spot in terms of playoff positioning. I think this is a spot where the Cubs pick up another win as I’m just not a huge Mitch Keller guy. Give me Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs for an 8th straight win.