Pirates vs Cubs Picks and Prediction – 6/13/2025

The Friday MLB schedule will get underway with a matinee between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs from Wrigley Field. Be ready for the baseball season with all of our MLB predictions. The Pirates (28-42) have won six of their last ten games and are stuck in the NL Central Division basement. Last night, Pittsburgh batters managed just four hits and struck out ten times during a 3-2 road loss against Chicago. 

NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes (4-6 1.88 ERA) could add a Cy Young Award to his resume for the Pirates. Through 91 innings of work, Skenes has struck out 92 batters and ranks 3rd in the majors with a 0.84 WHIP.

The Chicago Cubs have won 21 of their first 32 home games and hold a 5.5 game lead for the top spot in the NL Central Division. During Thursday’s home victory, Chicago OF Pete Crow-Armstrong got the scoring started with a two-run blast. SP Jameson Taillon (7-3) allowed two runs across six plus frames to earn the win for the Cubs, who improved to 42-27 overall. 

Rookie right-hander Cade Horton (3-1 4.11 ERA) will make his sixth career major league start for the Cubs. Last time out, Horton (5 IP) gave up seven hits and four runs during a 4-0 road loss against Detroit. 

Chicago SP Shota Imanaga (hamstring) will need a couple of rehab starts before rejoining the rotation. Through 70 games, Pittsburgh ranks 28th in OPS and 29th in runs scored. For the season, Chicago ranks 4th in OPS and 2nd in runs scored. Take the Pirates to win on the road. Final Score Prediction, Pittsburgh Pirates win 4-2.