Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction & Betting Tips for 9/13/2026

The Pittsburgh Pirates will take on the Chicago Cubs in an MLB regular season game on Sunday, September 13, 2026. The game will be held at the iconic Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL, with a 2:20 PM start time. Fans can catch the action on the MARQ TV Channel.

The Pirates are currently positioned third in the NL Central with a record of 74-75. After a recent pair of losses to the Cubs, the Pirates are aiming to reverse their fortunes and improve their road record of 36-41. Managed by Don Kelly, the team will look to their coaching staff, including hitting coach Matt Hague and pitching coach Bill Murphy, to guide them against their division rivals.

The Cubs hold the second spot in the NL Central standings with an 83-66 record. Riding a two-game winning streak, the Cubs are eager to continue their momentum in front of their home crowd, where they have a solid 43-31 record this season. Under the leadership of manager Craig Counsell, the team will aim to leverage their recent successes against the Pirates to extend their winning streak.

Cubs vs Pirates At a Glance

• Game Venue: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL, hosting an outdoor game.
• Weather: Mild day with scattered clouds and a light breeze.
• Away Team Record: Pittsburgh Pirates are currently 74-75, ranked 3rd in the NL Central.
• Home Team Record: Chicago Cubs hold an 83-66 record, sitting 2nd in the NL Central.
• Game Odds: Cubs are favored with a moneyline of -146, while Pirates stand at +123.
• Broadcast Information: The game will be televised on MARQ.

Cubs Aim for Victory Against the Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates Overview

The Pittsburgh Pirates head into their upcoming game with a need to improve their season performance. Currently, the team holds a record of 7-9 for the season with their starting pitcher, Bubba Chandler, reflecting a 4.25 ERA and 1.34 WHIP.

Despite challenges in their pitching, the Pirates have demonstrated moments of competitiveness. Their ability to strike out opponents has been noteworthy, with Chandler recording 129 Ks this season.

Key Players to Watch

Bubba Chandler will be crucial for the Pirates in their upcoming game against the Cubs. His performance on the mound could set the tone for the Pirates' defensive efforts.

Offensively, the Pirates will need contributions from their lineup to provide run support. Ensuring consistent hitting will be key to their chances against the Cubs' pitching staff.

Team Dynamics and Strategy

The Pirates must focus on minimizing errors and maintaining consistent pitching to challenge the Cubs effectively. With Chandler leading on the mound, the team will look to capitalize on his experience.

Strategically, balancing offensive aggression with defensive resilience will be crucial. Utilizing their bullpen effectively could play a significant role in managing the game's outcome.

Betting Trends for Pittsburgh Pirates

• SU All Games: TBD (based on data)
• SU as Favorite: TBD (based on data)
• SU as Underdog: TBD (based on data)
• SU in Night Games: TBD (based on data)
• Runline All Games: TBD (based on data)
• Runline as Favorite: TBD (based on data)
• Runline as Underdog: TBD (based on data)
• O/U All Games: TBD (based on data)
• O/U as Favorite: TBD (based on data)
• O/U as Underdog: TBD (based on data)

Pirates Set Sail to Conquer Wrigley Field

Team Performance Overview

The Pittsburgh Pirates' offensive statistics from the 2026 regular season highlight a solid team performance. With a batting average of .253, they rank 3rd in the league, showing their ability to consistently get on base. Their on-base percentage is .330, placing them 4th, which further emphasizes their strong plate discipline.

However, their slugging percentage sits at .401, ranking 11th, indicating a potential area for improvement in terms of power hitting. Despite having 170 home runs, they stand at 16th, suggesting a balance between contact hitting and power. Their rank of 17th in doubles, with 222, reflects their capability in hitting for extra bases but also shows room for more impactful slugging.

Key Players and Stats

Brandon Lowe leads the Pirates in home runs with 29, ranking him 9th in the league. His .257 batting average and .474 slugging percentage make him a crucial component of the Pirates' lineup. Nick Gonzales, with a .305 batting average, provides a consistent presence at the plate, ranking him 6th on the team for home runs with 6.

Spencer Horwitz, although not leading in power, contributes with a .247 average and 10 home runs. His ability to get on base is highlighted by a .346 on-base percentage. Konnor Griffin, with a .262 average, adds depth to the lineup with his 5 home runs and 27 RBIs, showcasing the balanced approach of the Pirates' offense.

Pitching Insights

The Pirates' pitching staff, led by Bubba Chandler for the upcoming game, holds a 4.18 ERA, placing them 16th in the league. Chandler's season stats include a 7-9 record, a 4.25 ERA, and 129 strikeouts, reflecting his capability to perform under pressure. The team's ability to limit opposing hitters to a .237 average ranks them 9th, a testament to their effective pitching strategy.

The Pirates have struggled with home runs allowed, giving up 144, which ranks them 2nd in the league. Their bullpen's performance in terms of blown saves, with 23, ranks them 10th, indicating a need for more consistency in closing out games. Despite these challenges, their 1365 strikeouts rank 5th, underscoring their capacity to overpower hitters.

Betting Trends

• SU Last 10 Games: 6-4 (60.0%)
• SU in Away Games: 36-41 (46.8%)
• SU in Day Games: 38-25 (60.3%)
• Runline as Underdog: 39-35 (52.7%)
• Runline After a Loss: 43-31 (58.1%)
• O/U All Games: 77-72 (51.7%)

Cubs vs Pirates Prediction: Over 6.5

The upcoming game at Wrigley Field between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates features an intriguing pitching matchup with Bubba Chandler and Matthew Boyd on the mound. Chandler has a 4.25 ERA for the season, while Boyd holds a 4.03 ERA. With both pitchers having similar ERAs, there's potential for both offenses to score more runs than the set total of 6.5.

The Cubs have been effective offensively, ranking first in slugging percentage and home runs. Their ability to score runs, especially in home games, contributes to their tendency to hit the over in games with totals set at or below 7.5. Additionally, the Cubs' home games have seen them go over 41 times this season.

Historically, games between these two teams have leaned towards the over, with seven of their last ten encounters hitting this mark. The Pirates, while currently on a two-game losing streak, have managed to put up runs against the Cubs in past matchups. This suggests the potential for a higher-scoring game.

Given these factors, the projection leans towards the total going over 6.5 runs. Expect the Cubs to win with a final score of Cubs 5 - Pirates 3, thereby exceeding the set total.

• Cubs vs Pirates Prediction: Over 6.5
• Cubs vs Pirates Score: Cubs 5 - Pirates 3

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