Pirates vs. Cubs odds, line, prediction: 2026 MLB picks for Friday afternoon from proven model

The Chicago Cubs host the Pittsburgh Pirates to start a three-game series on Friday afternoon. The Pirates (7-5), who last fell to the Padres on Tuesday, are 3-3 on the road this season. The Cubs (6-6), who have won their last two games, are 3-3 on their home field in 2026. 

First pitch from Wrigley Field in Chicago is set for 2:20 p.m. ET. Chicago is a -143 favorite on the money line (risk $143 to win $100) in the latest Pirates vs. Cubs odds, while the over/under, is 6.5. 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 was a profitable 35-29 on top-rated MLB money-line picks last season. It also excelled at making home run prop picks in 2025, returning nearly 30 units of profit. Anybody following could have seen strong returns!

The model has simulated Pirates vs. Cubs 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is going Over on the total, and is also says one side of the money line has ALL the value!

Who wins Pirates vs. Cubs, and which side of the money line has ALL the value? ... Join SportsLine right now to find out which side of the Pirates vs. Cubs money line you should be all over, all from the model on a 35-29 roll on top-rated MLB money-line picks!