Gerrit Cole (3-0, 2.19 ERA) starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-10) as they square off against Jon Lester (0-2, 6.23 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs (12-7) in the last of a three-game series at Wrigley Field. The Cubs won the last game 6-2 and Chicago leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 8:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Apr. 29 and can be seen on ROOT-PIT and CSN-CHI.
Lester pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs, striking out 10 and walking one in a 7-3 defeat to the Reds. Kris Bryant (.341, 6 Rs, 10 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI. Against the Cubs, Cole is 5-0 with a 3.48 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts. Starling Marte (.243, 12 Rs, 6 HRs, 15 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Pirates, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs.
Pittsburgh takes on Chicago as a -117 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is currently not available. The Cubs have recorded an overall money line of +327 and have shown high-level performance as an underdog this season with a record of 5-2. Chicago has gone 3-1 in its last 10 as underdog. Chicago leads the MLB in steals, swiping 25 bases. Turning to the pitchers, opposing offenses that come to Wrigley Field have been stifled by the Cubs, who have a team ERA of only 3.00 at home. The Cubs are the fourth-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.10 so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Cubs, who rank fourth in the NL in strikeouts per home game with 8.3.
Over in the other dugout, Pittsburgh is coming in with an overall money line of +88 and an impressive record of 8-5 as the favorite. They played solid baseball as the favorite over their last 10 games with a 6-2 record, and a 7-3 record SU. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff is one of the top in the NL at pitching on the road, with a 2.86 ERA. The Pirates have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an NL-best 8.7 strikeouts per game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Cubs lead the season series, 4-2. The Cubs have a great 10-5 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Cole takes the mound. Lester (RHP) will be on the hill against the Pirates, who have an 11-8 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC
Notes
Pittsburgh recorded at least two errors for the fifth time this season.
The Cubs are 4-0 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Pirates are 0-1 in such matchups.
The Pirates managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Cubs who are heading in with a 2-0 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Pirates are 2-8. The Cubs have a 3-6 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 18th in home runs, Chicago has hit 16 this season. Pittsburgh ranks 13th with 18 home runs.
Ranking 13th, Pittsburgh is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.40 per game. Chicago ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 8.50.
Ranking 26th, Pittsburgh is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.624). Chicago ranks in the top half at 12th with an OPS of .718.
The Pirates are 2-6 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Cubs are 6-5 when they allow at least one homer.
