The Chicago Cubs will continue their three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday at PNC Park. We're here to share our MLB odds series, make a Cubs-Pirates prediction, and pick while showing you how to watch.

The Cubs are doing well this season. They are hanging around the top of the National League Central. Overall, they have gone 4-4 over the first eight games of the month. The Cubs will play seven games against the Pirates over an 11-day span.

The Pirates are playing mediocre baseball at the moment. Somehow, they lost two of three at home to the lowly Los Angeles Angels. The Pirates are just 3-4 over the first seven games of the month. Now, they hope to gain some ground in their division as they meet the Cubs over the next two weekends.

Justin Steele starts for the Cubs. He is 0-0 with a 0.96 ERA. Recently, he tossed 4 2/3 shutout innings while allowing three hits and striking out two against the San Diego Padres.

Paul Skenes makes his major league debut on Saturday. He is a 21-year-old who posted a 0.99 ERA while throwing 27 1/3 innings. Significantly, he was the first overall pick for the Pirates in the 2023 draft. Skenes is ready to rock in his first outing.

Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Cubs-Pirates Odds

Chicago Cubs: -1.5 (+152)

Moneyline: -112

Pittsburgh Pirates: +1.5 (-184)

Moneyline: -104

Over: 7.5 (-102)

Under: 7.5 (-120)

How to Watch Mets vs. Rays

Time: 4:05 PM ET/1:05 PM PT

TV: Marquee Sports

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Cubs Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Cubs have been inconsistent on offense this season. So far, they are 20th in batting average and 16th in slugging percentage. But the Cubs are also 13th in on-base percentage, 12th in runs, and ninth in home runs.

Nico Hoerner entered the weekend with a batting average of .273 with one home run, 10 RBIs, and 21 runs. Substantially, he has pounded the Pirates throughout his career, generating a mark of .371 with three home runs, 27 RBIs, and 29 runs over 39 games against them. Cody Bellinger has been inconsistent this season, hitting .239 with six home runs, 18 RBIs, and 11 runs. Moreover, he has struggled against the Pirates, batting .257 with nine home runs, 33 RBIs, and 32 runs over 36 showdowns.

Christopher Morel is having a bad start to the season. Currently, he is batting just .211 with eight home runs, 24 RBIs, and 21 runs. Morel is also clipping just .231 with three home runs, nine RBIs, and 10 runs over 20 games against the Pirates. Ian Happ is hitting .225 with one home run, 12 RBIs, and 18 runs. On the flip side, he loves facing the Pirates. Happ is batting .320 with 17 home runs, 62 RBIs, and 58 runs through 95 games against Pittsburgh.

The pitching staff has done slightly better. Significantly, the Cubs are 13th in team ERA. But the bullpen has struggled. Unfortunately, they are 22nd in team ERA.

The Cubs will cover the spread if the offense can generate some scoring chances and make Skene's first start a nightmare. Then, they need Steele to pitch well.

Why The Pirates Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Pirates have struggled mightily in offense, ranking just 27th in batting average and runs, 22nd in on-base percentage, 28th in home runs, and just 29th in slugging percentage.

Andrew McCutchen is having an awful start to the season. Sadly, he is hitting just .184 with three home runs, seven RBIs, and 11 runs. McCutchen is batting .282 with 28 home runs, 104 RBIs, and 107 runs over 188 career games against the Pirates. Meanwhile, Bryan Reynolds hopes to contribute. Reynolds is hitting just .240 with four home runs, 17 RBIs, and 15 tuns this season. Additionally, he is batting just .257 with eight home runs, 26 RBIs, and 39 runs over 69 games against the Cubs.

Oneil Cruz is hitting only .252 with five home runs, 15 RBIs, and five runs this season. Likewise, he has not done well against the Cubs, batting .237 with one home run, 10 RBIs, and seven runs over nine games against the Cubs. Rowdy Tellez is continually whiffing, batting just .200 with one home run, eight RBIs, and eight runs. Moreover, he has struggled against the Pirates, hitting just .239 with six home runs, 15 RBIs, and 14 runs over 31 games.

The pitching staff has kept this team afloat. Currently, the Pirates rank 11th in team ERA. The bullpen has had mixed results. Ultimately, they rank 16th in team ERA.

The Pirates will cover the spread if their lineup springs to life. Then, they need a good debut from Skenes.

Final Cubs-Pirates Prediction & Pick

We knew this day would come. Now, it is here. Many project Skenes to be an amazing pitcher with a five-tool repertoire. Furthermore, they believe he can become an ace fast. The Cubs also have an emerging ace in Steele. Therefore, it might be a day when both offenses struggle to hit the baseball. Look for Steele to shine for the Cubs and Skenes to flourish in his first career start. Consequently, it will mean much less scoring than usual. The under prevails.

Click here for more betting news and predictions

Final Cubs-Pirates Prediction & Pick: Under 7.5 (-120)