Another profitable 2-1 day on Wednesday brought our MLB best bets record to 4-1 for the week and 9-2 over our last 11 picks overall. We are back to continue that hot streak with another trio of plays today. Read on for our top three MLB picks and best bets for Friday, June 13th’s game Pirates vs. Cubs.
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Friday's Top MLB Picks & Bets: Pirates vs. Cubs
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Pittsburgh Pirates (-106) at Chicago Cubs (-110) | O/U 7.0 (-110/-110) MLB Picks
The term “hard luck loser” has become synonymous with Paul Skenes this year. Skenes has made 14 total starts and allowed just 19 earned runs overall, but the Pirates are only 6-8 when he toes the rubber. Thus, instead of backing Pittsburgh as underdogs against the division-leading Cubs, I am most confident in Skenes’ ability to neutralize the high-scoring Chicago offense, leading to another pitcher’s duel.
In Skenes’ last 10 starts, the final combined score between the Pirates and their opponents has seen three or fewer runs scored six times. Skenes leads the league in several statistical categories, like WAR, innings pitched, WHIP and H/9. His career winning percentage in road starts is better than at home, and his ERA is 1.26 runs lower in that split as well. He has won both of his starts at Wrigley Field while throwing 11 shutout innings, and I expect him to match zeros with Cubs rookie Cade Horton.
Paul Skenes is looking to add NL Cy Young to his already impressive resume ?"? pic.twitter.com/NkfyYSwza1
— MLB (@MLB) June 10, 2025
Pick: Under 7.0 Runs (-110)
Mike Spector is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeSpector01