The Chicago Cubs host the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 11, 2026. First pitch from Wrigley Field is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on SportsNet PT.
The Cubs are favored by -198 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Pirates are +166 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 8.5 runs.
Find our MLB picks and Pirates vs Cubs prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Pirates vs Cubs Prediction
- Pirates vs Cubs Pick: Shota Imanaga Over 6.5 Strikeouts (+114)
Our Pirates vs Cubs best bet is on Shota Imanaga to strike out seven or more hitters this afternoon. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page. For more picks, be sure to download the Action Network app.
Pirates vs Cubs Odds
| Pirates Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -138 | 8.5 108o / -132u | +166 |
| Cubs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +115 | 8.5 108o / -132u | -198 |
- Pirates vs Cubs moneyline: Pirates +166, Cubs -198
- Pirates vs Cubs over/under: 8.5 (+108o / -132u)
- Pirates vs Cubs spread: Pirates +1.5 (-138), Cubs -1.5 (+115)
Pirates vs Cubs Probable Pitchers
| Wilber Dotel (RHP, PIT) | Stat | Shota Imanaga (LHP, CHC) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | W-L | 9-10 |
| 0.5 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 1.2 |
| 4.41 / 3.74 | ERA / xERA | 3.91 / 3.83 |
| 3.10 / 3.69 | FIP / xFIP | 4.68 / 3.89 |
| 14.5 | K-BB% | 18.4 |
| 45.5 | GB% | 35.8 |
| .307 | BABIP | .260 |
| 103 | Stuff+ | 92 |
| 100 | Location+ | 109 |
Pirates vs Cubs MLB Betting Preview, Prediction
Action PRO projects Cubs starter Shota Imanaga for 6.94 strikeouts this afternoon against the Pirates, giving us a 7.4% edge on the over when compared to his current prop line of 6.5.
Imanaga has improved his K/9 rate this season to 8.75 after posting a 7.28 in 2025.
However, if you look at his recent outings, the 10-strikeout game against the White Sox seems like an outlier, so why should we back Imanaga to go over his line today?
Well, it turns out he has a very interesting split.
Imanaga not only has pitched great in day games this season, with a 3.21 ERA, but he also has 63 Ks in 56 frames, compared with 89 Ks in 100 1/3 IP at night and a 4.31 ERA.
It seems like two different pitchers, and we'll go with the one that excels early in the day.
Plus, the Pirates have the second-highest strikeout percentage against lefties in the majors, at 26.0%.
At plus money, let's back Imanaga to go over his 6.5 K line against Pittsburgh.
Pick: Shota Imanaga Over 6.5 Strikeouts (+114, FanDuel)
