The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates meet at PNC Park on April 30, 2025, in the second of a three-game set between two NL Central rivals on very different trajectories. The Cubs enter the matchup with a 17–12 record and a growing sense of confidence as they look to extend their early-season success and reinforce their place atop the division standings. With a balanced roster built around timely offense, solid defense, and an increasingly reliable pitching staff, Chicago has been able to grind out wins in both tight games and high-scoring affairs. On the mound, left-hander Matthew Boyd gets the start and will look to continue his strong run after posting a 2–2 record with a 2.54 ERA across his first five starts. Boyd has been particularly effective against right-handed hitters this season and has shown improved command and pitch efficiency, giving the Cubs a dependable option in the middle of the rotation. Offensively, the Cubs have been paced by Seiya Suzuki, who enters the game with a .298 batting average and seven home runs, along with Ian Happ, whose switch-hitting versatility and 14 RBIs have helped lengthen the lineup and generate consistent run production. With Nico Hoerner getting on base at a high clip and Christopher Morel offering pop in the lower half of the lineup, the Cubs are finding ways to manufacture offense even without monster innings.

On the opposite side, the Pirates continue to flounder at 11–18, struggling to build momentum and plagued by both underperformance and injuries. Their starter, right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski, brings a 1–3 record and an inflated 6.95 ERA into the game, emblematic of a rotation that’s been unable to keep games competitive past the middle innings. Mlodzinski will have to navigate a Cubs lineup that punishes fastballs left over the plate, making his ability to change speeds and work ahead in counts crucial to limiting damage. Oneil Cruz remains the brightest spot in Pittsburgh’s lineup, with his combination of power and speed—eight home runs and 12 stolen bases—making him a constant threat at the plate and on the bases. However, beyond Cruz, the Pirates have struggled with run production, and players like Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes have yet to deliver with the consistency needed to carry the offense. The Pirates’ bullpen has been overworked, often entering games too early due to short starts, which has further exposed depth issues and contributed to late-game collapses. If the Cubs can score early and force Pittsburgh to the pen by the fifth inning, they’ll be in prime position to take control of the series. With the over/under set at 8.5 runs and the Cubs favored on the moneyline, expectations point toward another productive night for Chicago’s bats and a continuation of Pittsburgh’s frustrating start. For the Cubs, this matchup is about sustaining their winning formula; for the Pirates, it’s a test of resilience and a chance to respond on their home field before the division slips further out of reach.