Matchup: Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates
Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Broadcast: SportsNet Pittsburgh
Betting Odds: Chicago (-160) Pittsburgh (+132)
The Pittsburgh Pirates (65-85) will host the Chicago Cubs (85-64) at PNC Park this Tuesday. The moneyline for this contest features Chicago at -160 while Pittsburgh is positioned at +132. The over/under for the game is set at 9 runs. Starting pitchers for this matchup are Cade Horton and Paul Skenes.
The Chicago Cubs are averaging 4.9 runs per game, ranking them 7th overall in Major League Baseball. With 727 total runs scored and an on-base percentage (OBP) of .320, the Cubs have achieved 245 doubles and launched 200 home runs. This season, they have tallied 710 RBIs and 1,258 hits, alongside a batting average of .249. Their slugging percentage sits at .427, with a total of 1,165 strikeouts and 513 walks.
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The Cubs currently hold a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.05, with their pitching staff maintaining a collective WHIP of 1.19. With 184 home runs allowed and 605 runs (6th in MLB) surrendered this season, they have given up 1,200 hits (approximately 8.2 hits per 9 innings) and 567 earned runs. The Cubs’ team ERA stands at 3.86 (9th in the league), along with 1,146 strikeouts this year. To date, they have issued 376 walks, with a FIP of 4.19 as a team.
The Cubs’ bullpen has a save percentage of 67.8%, having entered 165 save situations. This season, their relievers have inherited 132 base runners, with 33.3% of them scoring. Additionally, the Cubs’ bullpen has had 95 appearances in high-leverage situations. They have called on 485 relievers throughout the season, achieving 103 holds (2nd in the league). This season, they recorded 40 saves while failing to convert 19 of their 59 save opportunities.
Defensively, the Cubs have converted 71.6% of balls put into play into outs over 11,898 innings, ranking 3rd in professional baseball. The team has 3,966 putouts, 1,257 assists, and 57 errors, with a fielding percentage of .989 (5th in the league), and 115 double plays made.
Cade Horton has pitched for 110 innings and accumulated 89 strikeouts in his MLB career. With a career record of 10-4, Horton features a FIP of 2.66, having faced 446 batters in the majors. His earned run average (ERA) stands at 2.70 with 33 earned runs allowed and a WHIP of 1.109. He has given up 90 hits (7.4 hits per nine innings) and 32 walks.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a slugging percentage of .349 and an average of 3.60 runs per game (30th in MLB). They have recorded 223 doubles, drawn 495 walks, and scored 540 runs. So far this season, Pittsburgh has notched 107 home runs and 519 RBIs, while striking out 1,313 times (8th in MLB) and accumulating 1,149 hits. Their OBP is .305, and their batting average is .231.
Pittsburgh’s pitching lineup has allowed 610 runs this season, with a 3.87 ERA (568 earned runs). They have surrendered 140 homers and give up 4.15 runs per 9 innings (8th in MLB). The Pirates have a collective WHIP of 1.222 with a FIP of 3.86 this year. Their strikeout-to-walk ratio is 8.20, totaling 1,200 strikeouts against 439 walks. They rank 9th among MLB pitching staffs in hits allowed, with a total of 1,177.
The Pirates’ bullpen relievers have an inherited scoring percentage of 36.8% out of 201 inherited runners. Their relief pitchers have faded into action 147 times in high-leverage situations, along with 131 instances with runners on base. With 125 save situations, the Pirates have achieved 66 holds and experienced 24 blown saves. Their current save percentage stands at 57.9%, placing them 24th in the league, with 468 relievers sent to the mound this season. They have converted 33 of 57 save opportunities.
The Pirates have a defensive efficiency rating of 70.7% across 11,904 innings (8th in professional baseball). They have successfully executed 109 double plays while maintaining a fielding percentage of .986 (14th in pro baseball). The Pirates have managed 1,238 assists, committed 72 errors, and completed 3,968 putouts this season.
Paul Skenes boasts a career win-loss record of 21-12 and an earned run average of 1.94, allowing 6.3 hits per nine innings. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is 5.25, having faced 1,205 opposing batters in his career. He has permitted 67 earned runs and recorded a WHIP of 0.932, with a FIP of 1.9. In his time on the mound, Skenes has given up 219 hits and accumulated 373 strikeouts over 311 innings.
Who will come out on top in tonight’s MLB showdown against the spread or the moneyline?
Guy Bruhn’s Prediction: Take Pittsburgh (+132)
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