The September 16, 2025, matchup between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park sets up as a divisional contest with very different storylines for each club, as the Cubs enter riding momentum in the postseason chase while the Pirates are searching for positives in what has been a difficult stretch. Chicago has found its groove over the past couple of weeks, stringing together wins with a blend of timely hitting, quality starting pitching, and steady bullpen work that has given them the confidence to continue pushing forward in the National League race. Their lineup, though not as intimidating as some of the league’s powerhouses, has shown balance with veterans producing in big spots and younger contributors providing sparks, and that depth has made them particularly effective against struggling teams like Pittsburgh. On the pitching side, the Cubs’ rotation has kept them competitive, often delivering quality starts that allow the offense to settle in, while their bullpen has stepped up in late innings to secure leads, a factor that has been key in their strong head-to-head results against the Pirates this season. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has endured a rough stretch, losing the majority of its recent games due to an offense that has struggled to score runs consistently and a pitching staff that has been unable to limit damage against deeper lineups. The Pirates’ rotation has some intriguing young arms with potential, but inconsistency has plagued them, and once games move into the bullpen, results have been even less reliable, creating a scenario where they often fall behind early and cannot recover.

Offensively, Pittsburgh has leaned on a handful of players to provide production, but a lack of depth and situational hitting has left them unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities, particularly against teams that field stronger pitching staffs like the Cubs. Defensively, the Pirates will need to be sharper than they have been in recent outings, as miscues have too often opened the door for opponents to build momentum and create big innings that put games out of reach. From a betting perspective, Chicago enters this matchup as the safer play, given its recent record, head-to-head success, and ability to cover run lines in similar scenarios, while Pittsburgh may only hold value as a heavy underdog capable of keeping things close if their pitching delivers above expectations. The over/under has hovered around nine runs, reflecting oddsmakers’ expectation of a moderately high-scoring game, with the Cubs’ offense expected to do most of the lifting unless Pittsburgh’s bats unexpectedly come alive. Ultimately, this contest looks like another opportunity for Chicago to assert itself against a struggling divisional opponent, maintain its push toward the postseason, and solidify its standing as a team capable of handling business against clubs outside of contention, while the Pirates will be looking for anything to spark their young roster and give fans a glimpse of progress for the future.