Matchup: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Broadcast: Marquee
Betting Odds: Pittsburgh (+125) Chicago (-150)
The Pittsburgh Pirates (51-71) are set to visit Wrigley Field this Saturday, facing off against the Chicago Cubs (68-51). This match features the Pirates at +125 and the Cubs at -150 odds, with a total set at 8 runs. Anticipated starting pitchers include Mike Burrows for the Pirates and Shota Imanaga for the Cubs.
The Pirates currently have a slugging percentage of .346, accumulating 1,054 strikeouts and drawing 388 walks. They have recorded 418 RBIs alongside 942 hits this season, positioning their team batting average at .232. The Pirates have achieved 168 doubles and 86 home runs, scoring 432 runs with a .304 on-base percentage. Overall, the Pirates average 3.5 runs per game, ranking them 30th in the league.
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The Pirates have a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.64, utilizing a collective WHIP of 1.24. Their pitching staff has allowed 122 home runs and 517 runs (15th rank league-wide). Pittsburgh has given up 979 hits, averaging 8.2 hits per 9 innings, and 486 earned runs, with a team ERA of 4.06, ranking 17th in the league. The staff has struck out 947 batters, issued 359 walks, and their FIP stands at 3.97 for the season.
The Pirates’ bullpen has converted 56.8% of save opportunities, participating in 100 situations. They have inherited 177 base runners this season, with approximately 36.7% scoring. The relief pitchers have made 112 high-leverage appearances, with a total of 379 relief outings. This season, they’ve notched 54 holds (25th in MLB) and secured 25 saves, facing 19 blown save chances out of 44.
In the field, the Pirates have successfully converted 70.8% of balls in play into outs over 9,693 innings, placing them 10th in the majors. They boast 3,231 putouts, 1,009 assists, and 56 errors, maintaining a .987 fielding percentage (11th overall) and involving themselves in 87 double plays.
Mike Burrows has pitched 70 innings in his career, recording 71 strikeouts. His ERA is at 4.61 (36 ER allowed) with a WHIP of 1.280. He has permitted 62 hits (averaging 7.9 hits every 9 innings) and has issued 28 walks. Burrows holds a 2-4 career record and has faced 301 batters, posting a FIP of 4.54.
The Cubs have a team slugging percentage of .435 and average 5.08 runs per game (3rd in the league). They’ve tallied 196 doubles, recorded 401 walks, and accumulated 604 runs. The Cubs have hit 169 home runs this season along with 588 RBIs, striking out 924 times (27th in the league), and have compiled 1,030 hits. Their OBP sits at .321, and they hold a .252 team batting average for the year.
On the mound, the Cubs’ pitching staff has allowed 488 runs in total, with a 3.87 ERA (454 earned runs). They have surrendered 148 home runs, giving up 4.16 runs per 9 innings (7th league ranking). The team maintains a WHIP of 1.212 and a FIP of 4.20. Their strikeout-to-walk ratio is 7.70 (900 strikeouts vs 305 walks), ranking 13th for hits allowed with 975 on the year.
The bullpen has successfully converted 27 out of 40 save opportunities this season, placing them 6th in MLB with a 67.5% save rate. They’ve employed 390 relievers, stepping onto the field 111 times in high-leverage situations and encountering 81 instances with runners on base. The Cubs have a 31.0% inherited scoring percentage across 113 inherited base runners. With 121 save situations created, they’ve accumulated 78 holds alongside 13 blown saves.
Defensively, the Cubs have reported 94 double plays and a .988 fielding percentage (7th in the majors). They’ve recorded 991 assists, 50 errors, and maintain 3,170 putouts in 9,510 innings played, achieving a defensive efficiency of 71.3% (4th in professional baseball).
Imanaga has allowed 225 hits over his MLB career, accumulating 253 strikeouts across 269 innings pitched. With a 23-8 career record, his ERA stands at 3.01, allowing 7.5 hits per nine innings. He has given up a total of 90 earned runs and maintains a WHIP of 1.003 alongside a FIP of 3.0. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is 5.62, having faced 1,071 opposing batters in his career.
Who will come out on top in this MLB matchup against the spread or moneyline?
Guy Bruhn’s Prediction: Take Pittsburgh (+125)
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