Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Prediction for Monday, September 15, 2025
In the first game of a three-game National League Central series, the Chicago Cubs are taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates inside PNC Park on Monday evening in our Cubs vs. Pirates prediction. The Cubs won at home 4-3 on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays while the Pirates lost on the road 4-3 to the Washington Nationals on Sunday. The Cubs are second in the NL Central with an 84-64 record and are sending right-hander Jameson Taillon to the mound. The Pirates are fifth in the NL Central with a 65-85 record and have rookie righty Braxton Ashcraft getting the ball. Dial in your read with MLB picks for the Chicago Cubs vsi. the Pittsburgh Pirates before first pitch.
Cubs Looking to Make NL Central a Race
The Chicago Cubs are looking to continue winning after their 4-3 home win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. The lineup was able to go 10-for-32 with three walks and four strikeouts on the day as Ian Happ hit a home run. The Cubbies went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven men on base. Shota Imanaga did a respectable job on a no-decision as he allowed three runs over five innings.
The Cubs are sending right-hander Jameson Taillon to pitch and he is holding his own. In 20 starts, he is 9-6 in 110.2 innings with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He has been limiting the amount of hits as he has a .236 batting average against so far. Taillon faced Pittsburgh once already this season in a win as he pitched 6.1 innings and gave up two runs on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.
Injury Report for Chicago
- Right fielder Owen Caissie: Concussion (OUT)
- Right fielder Kyle Tucker: Calf (OUT)
- Pitcher Daniel Palencia: Shoulder (OUT)
- Pitcher Ryan Brasier: Groin (OUT)
- Catcher Miguel Amaya: Ankle (OUT)
- Pitcher Michael Soroka: Shoulder (OUT)
- Pitcher Eli Morgan: Elbow (OUT)
- Pitcher Justin Steele: Elbow (OUT)
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Pirates Looking to End the Season Strong
The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to recover after Sunday’s 4-3 road loss against the Washington Nationals in their most recent game. The Pirates were able to go 5-for-31 with seven walks and nine strikeouts at the plate as Oneil Cruz stole a base. Pittsburgh finished 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position while leaving nine men on base. Mike Burrows did not factor into the decision as he pitched 4.1 innings and allowed three runs.
Rookie right-hander Braxton Ashcraft is going to be taking the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates in this game and has been pitching well as he is 4-2 with a 2.47 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP in 58.1 innings over 23 games (six starts). He has been doing a great job in terms of limiting the number of homers hit, as he has allowed two this year. Ashcraft faced the Cubs twice already this season (one start) and is 0-0 in 7.0 innings and allowed one run on three hits with zero walks and six strikeouts.
Injury Report for Pittsburgh
- Second baseman Ronny Simon: Shoulder (OUT)
- Right fielder Jack Suwinski: Groin (OUT)
- First baseman Endy Rodriguez: Elbow (OUT)
- First baseman Enmanuel Valdez: Shoulder (OUT)
- Pitcher Jared Jones: Elbow (OUT)
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Pick
Spread Pick for Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates
- Chicago Cubs -147 (5 units)
There has been a slight difference from these pitchers since the All-Star break as Jameson Taillon is 2-0 with a 2.35 ERA and a .241 batting average against in 15.1 innings (three starts) while Braxton Ashcraft is 2-2 with a 2.72 ERA and a .205 batting average against in 36.1 innings (12 games, five starts) thus far. Hitting with runners in scoring position shows a significant divide as Chicago is sixth in MLB with a .784 team OPS with runners in scoring position, while Pittsburgh is 30th with just a .664 team OPS in those chances. All in all, go with the Chicago Cubs to win as the better team here.
Over/Under Pick for Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates
- Under (4 units)
These pitchers are doing well in their previous 15 outings as Jameson Taillon is 8-5 with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in 84.0 innings (15 starts) while Braxton Ashcraft is 3-2 with a 2.89 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP in 43.2 innings (five starts). Both bullpens are doing well over the course of the season as the Cubs are 12th with a 3.84 reliever ERA while the Pirates are 15th with a 4.06 bullpen ERA so far. The under is 6-0-1 in their previous seven games against one another this season, so take the under once again to hit.
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