Picks & Player Props to Bet in Cubs vs Pirates

• It’s a battle of NL Central squads Friday when the Chicago Cubs open a 3-game set vs the Pittsburgh Pirates
• Jared Jones is primed to rack up strikeouts with his elite swing-and-miss stuff
• Read below for my Cubs vs Pirates player props and updated odds

The Pittsburgh Pirates (53-50) open a crucial series as home favorites in the MLB odds against the visiting Chicago Cubs (57-45) on Friday.

Third in the NL Central, Pittsburgh starts the day 4.5 games back of the second-place Cubs, with both teams trying to track down the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers.

Action gets underway at 6:40pm ET from PNC Park in Pittsburgh, in a game that can be seen live nationally on MLB TV.

I am leading with my favorite MLB player props for this matchup. By diving into the season-long metrics and situational data, I have uncovered substantial betting edges for tonight’s slate.

CHI Cubs vs PIT Pirates Picks and Player Props

The MLB probable pitchers present a fascinating betting puzzle. The Cubs will turn to veteran pitcher Matthew Boyd to secure an underdog victory on the road.

Meanwhile, the Pirates counter with hard-throwing pitcher Jared Jones, who will look to quiet a potent Chicago offense sparked by the elite talent of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki. Conversely, Pittsburgh will lean heavily on the steady bat of star outfielder Bryan Reynolds.

Pete Crow-Armstrong Over 1.5 Total Bases (+150 at Kalshi)

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PCA Total-Bases Pick

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Kalshi

Crow-Armstrong Over 1.5 Total Bases

40%

Predict

The underlying numbers for Chicago’s dynamic outfielder are impossible to ignore. Crow-Armstrong has been an absolute nightmare for opposing pitchers, boasting a ridiculous .517 slugging percentage and a sturdy .900 OPS. Out of his 107 total hits across 379 at-bats, 42 have gone for extra bases.

Furthermore, the situational trends heavily support this wager. With his ability to turn on pitches and go yard, catching plus-money on this MLB Total Bases Props market is an exceptional value play.

Jared Jones 6+ Strikeouts (Yes 47¢ at Kalshi)

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Jones Ks Pick

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Kalshi

Jared Jones 6+ Strikeouts

47%

Predict

If you prefer to target pitching props, Pittsburgh’s right-hander presents a fascinating opportunity. Betting MLB pitcher strikeout props is my bread and butter, and Kalshi offers “Yes” for 6+ strikeouts at 47¢, an incredibly wagerable price. Jones is averaging a hefty 10.80 K/9 this year, sitting down 48 batters across exactly 40.0 innings.

He only needs to pitch around five innings to mathematically project for a half-dozen punchouts.

Seiya Suzuki Over 1.5 Total Bases (+137 at Caesars)

I am going back to the Chicago lineup for my final prediction. Suzuki has been a reliable middle-of-the-order bat, hitting .270 with a .478 slugging percentage. He profiles as a high-upside target who can light the lamp with a single swing.

Start betting at Caesars now to lock in this juicy +137 price tag before the market adjusts.

Cubs vs Pirates Odds

The graphic above shows the best available odds, which are subject to change. Use theScore Bet promo code to wager on Cubs vs Pirates and other MLB action. And don’t forget to check out our batter vs pitcher stats, to help you shape your baseball bets.

Pittsburgh enters as a slight home chalk, priced at -122 on the moneyline from FanDuel. The Cubs offer plus-money value as road dogs at bet365, checking on at +105.

Oddsmakers expect a tight contest, heavily juicing the +1.5 runline given to both sides. Taking the Cubs to cover comes with -200 odds from BetMGM, while it’s only slightly better for the Pittsburgh at -196.

The opening total was set at a flat 8 runs. While the primary number has not moved, the juice has shifted, with the over now sitting at -112, courtesy of DraftKings. This minor adjustment is undoubtedly a reflection of the elevated scoring environment I noted at PNC Park.