Gerrit Cole (2-2, 2.78 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (15-10) take on Jason Hammel (3-0, 0.75 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs (17-6) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the first of a three-game series at PNC Park. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Monday, May. 2 and can be seen on CSCh, RTPT and ESPN.
Cole pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering four runs (two unearned), striking out three and walking two in a 9-4 win over the Rockies. Gregory Polanco (.315, 18 Rs, 3 HRs, 15 RBIs, 2 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 3 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. Hammel went 6.0 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out seven and walking two in a 9-0 win over the Reds in his last outing. Dexter Fowler (.350, 20 Rs, 3 HRs, 15 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run and one stolen base.
The odds for Pittsburgh and Chicago are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. Within its division, Pittsburgh has a record of 10-2 SU. The Pirates have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
The Cubs are 8-4 against fellow NL Central members. Offensively, they average 0.0 runs per game, which the best in the NL. Chicago is excellent at drawing walks with an NL-best 5.4 per game. The Cubs allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Cubs are the best in the league with a WHIP of 0.977 for the season.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC
Notes
In their last game, the Cubs lost by a margin of one run. The Pirates are 4-3 in one-run games. The Cubs have a 2-2 record in close games.
When leading after seven innings, Chicago is 11-0, while Pittsburgh is 6-6.
The Cubs managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Pirates who are heading in with an 11-6 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Pirates are 12-4. The Cubs have a 14-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Pittsburgh and Chicago both rank in the top five of the league in runs. Pittsburgh sits at fourth with 133 runs this season and Chicago ranks second with 139.
Ranking first in walks, Chicago has earned 124 this season. Pittsburgh ranks second with 110 walks.
When the Pirates hit at least one home run, they are 9-5. When the Cubs hit at least one homer, they have a 14-2 record.
