- Matchup: Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates
- Date: Monday, May 25, 2026
- Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
- Broadcast: SportsNet Pittsburgh
- Betting Odds: Chicago (-145) Pittsburgh (+125)
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The Pittsburgh Pirates (26-26) are set to face the Chicago Cubs (29-23) at PNC Park this Monday. The moneyline currently favors Chicago at -145, while Pittsburgh sits at +125. With an over/under set at 8.5, the starting pitchers for this matchup will be Ben Brown and Carmen Mlodzinski.
As of now, the Cubs have a slugging percentage of .390 and have struck out 432 times, while managing to draw walks on 236 occasions. They’ve compiled 229 RBIs alongside 417 hits this season, landing a batting average of .238. The team has hit 77 doubles and launched 59 home runs, amassing 248 runs scored with a solid on-base percentage of .335. Chicago averages 4.8 runs per game, positioning them 8th in MLB.
This season, the Cubs have recorded a team earned run average (ERA) of 4.05, ranking 15th in MLB, with a cumulative total of 417 strikeouts. They have surrendered 70 home runs and 225 runs (13th in the league), while allowing 160 walks. Their FIP stands at 4.38 this year. Chicago pitchers have given up 408 hits (averaging 7.9 per 9 innings) and 208 earned runs, yielding a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.61 and a collective WHIP of 1.23.
The Cubs have utilized 157 relief pitchers throughout the season. These relief pitchers have inherited 71 runners, with 28.2% of them scoring. However, the bullpen has only 11 holds (30th in the league) and has faced opponents with runners on base in 50 situations, predominantly in high-leverage scenarios. They’ve racked up 10 saves this season but have been unsuccessful in converting 7 out of 17 opportunities, resulting in a save rate of 58.8% across 31 save situations.
In the field, the Chicago Cubs boast 1,387 putouts, 492 assists, and 25 errors this season. Their fielding percentage of .987 places them 15th in the majors, complemented by 35 double plays. Chicago has converted 72.1% of balls in play into outs during their 4,161 innings, ranking them 4th in MLB.
Ben Brown (career record: 7-13) has a FIP of 4.49, having faced 848 hitters in the majors. He’s allowed 188 hits (averaging 8.5 hits per 9 innings) alongside 63 walks. His ERA is 4.56, with 101 earned runs allowed and a WHIP of 1.259. Over his career, he’s pitched for 199 innings, amassing 225 strikeouts.
The Pittsburgh Pirates, on the other hand, hold a team on-base percentage of .332 and a batting average of .251 for the season. They’ve struck out 482 times (3rd in the league) and recorded 453 hits. The Pirates have achieved 52 home runs and 241 RBIs this year. Their slugging percentage is .385 with an impressive average of 4.85 runs scored per game, placing them 6th in the league. Additionally, they have tallied 75 doubles, drawn 201 walks, and scored 252 runs.
The Pirates’ pitching staff has allowed 233 runs, with a 3.90 ERA (204 earned runs) for the season. They’ve given up 46 home runs, yielding 4.45 runs per 9 innings (15th in the league). The team’s WHIP is 1.235, and they have a FIP of 3.76. With a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 8.90 (464 strikeouts to 184 walks), they rank 9th in total hits conceded, allowing 398.
Relievers for the Pirates have allowed 35.5% of inherited runners to score out of 62 inherited baserunners. Their bullpen has taken the mound in high-leverage situations 54 times, successfully holding 29 situations with 12 blown saves. Their save percentage of 40% ranks them 29th in baseball, having deployed 175 relief pitchers this season.
Throughout 4,245 innings played, the Pirates maintain a defensive efficiency of 70.7% (10th in MLB). They have turned 39 double plays and their fielding percentage stands at .985 (23rd in professional baseball), with 436 assists, 29 errors, and 1,415 putouts this season.
Carmen Mlodzinski (career record: 17-19) holds a 3.41 ERA, allowing 8.6 hits per 9 innings, with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.63 against 996 faced career hitters. He’s permitted 89 earned runs, with a WHIP of 1.297 and a FIP of 3.40. In his career, Mlodzinski has surrendered 224 hits while recording 213 strikeouts over 235 innings pitched.
Who will clinch victory tonight against the spread or moneyline?
Prediction: Choose Pittsburgh (+125)
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