Cubs vs Pirates Picks and Prediction – 4/29/2025

NL Central Division rivals will square off on Tuesday night, when the Chicago Cubs invade PNC Park to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Be ready for the baseball season with all of our MLB predictions. The Cubs (17-12) are three games above .500 on the road and hold a 1.5 game lead over Cincinnati for first place. On Sunday night, Chicago batters were limited to three hits and struck out eight times during a 3-1 home loss versus Philadelphia in ten innings. 

Thirty-one year old left-hander Shota Imanaga (2-1 3.18 ERA) will take the mound for the Cubs in this matchup. Last time out, Imanaga (5.2 IP) gave up seven hits and five runs during an 11-10 home victory versus Los Angeles. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates are returning home after splitting a six-game Los Angeles road trip and are stuck in last place. On Sunday, Pittsburgh SP Bailey Falter (1-3) was tagged for seven runs (5 ER) in four plus innings during a 9-2 road loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Veteran DH Andrew McCutchen went 4-for-4 with a solo shot in a losing effort for the Pirates (11-18). 

Thirty-three year old southpaw Andrew Heaney (2-1 1.72 ERA) has quietly gotten off to a nice start for the Pirates. Through 31 plus innings, Heaney has allowed just one home run and fanned 31 batters while posting a minuscule 0.77 WHIP.

Pittsburgh SP Jared Jones (elbow) has been transferred to the 60-day injured list and is not eligible to return until July 1st. Through 28 games, Chicago ranks 2nd in OPS and 1st in runs scored. For the season, Pittsburgh ranks 27th in OPS and 23rd in runs scored. Take the under. Final Score Prediction, Chicago Cubs win 4-2.