The Chicago Cubs meet the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third and final game of their series on Thursday. The Cubs (18-13), who lead the National League Central, have dropped three of four. The Pirates (12-19), who are fifth in the division, snapped a three-game losing streak with the win.

First pitch from PNC Park in Pittsburgh is set for 12:35 p.m. ET. Pittsburgh is a -125 favorite on the money line (risk $125 to win $100) in the latest Cubs vs. Pirates odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the total number of runs Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 8. 

Before making any Cubs vs. Pirates picks, or MLB predictions, you need to see what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times. It enters Week 6 of the 2025 MLB season on a 17-11 run on top-rated MLB picks (+276). Anybody following could have seen strong returns!

The model knows Pittsburgh is expected to send ace right-hander Paul Skenes (3-2, 2.39 ERA) to the mound. He has made six starts on the season, pitching 37.2 innings and allowing 26 hits, 12 runs – 10 earned – and four walks with 39 strikeouts. In his last outing on Friday, he earned a win in a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 6.1 innings, he allowed five hits, while striking out nine.

The model also knows Chicago is expected to counter with right-handed pitcher Colin Rea (1-0, 0.96 ERA). The veteran spent the last three seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, and went 12-6 with a 4.29 ERA last season. In his last outing, a 4-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies, he pitched five innings, allowing just three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts to earn the victory. He has faced Pittsburgh seven times in his career, including five starts and is 2-3, with eight walks and 21 strikeouts.

The model has simulated Cubs vs. Pirates 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you the model is leaning Over on the run total, and it also says one side of the money line has ALL the value!

Who wins Cubs vs. Pirates, and which side of the money line has ALL the value? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the money line you should be all over, all from the model on an 17-11 run on top-rated MLB picks!