The Chicago Cubs will head east to square off against their NL Central foe Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The game will start at 1:35 p.m. ET and the matchup will be shown on either WLS or ATPT.
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
The Cubs are 27-22 SU and are 21-27 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 7.0 units for moneyline bettors and 6.8 units ATS. Chicago is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 28-24 SU and 24-27 ATS. They’ve gained 2.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 1.6 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in three of those seven.
Pittsburgh games have an over/under record of 25-20-6 thus far in 2018. Chicago has been a decent under bet with a total record of 20-27-1.
Mike Montgomery is getting the start for Chicago. The southpaw Montgomery is 0-1 with a 5.33 ERA and 15 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA against Pittsburgh this year.
The Pirates are sending righty Chad Kuhl (4-2, 4.20 ERA) to the mound. Kuhl has 53 strikeouts and 19 walks to his credit, as well as a 1.35 WHIP. Kuhl has yet to face the Cubs this year, but he made four starts against them in 2017, compiling a 1-2 record with a 6.88 ERA.
Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 3.8 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.84 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8.43 K/9. The bullpen has managed an outstanding ERA of just 2.71, along with a K/9 of 9.24.
The Cubs offense has slashed .258/.343/.430 on its way to 5.2 runs scored per game this season, including 4.7 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Third baseman Kris Bryant and second baseman Javier Baez have led Chicago’s hitters. Bryant is slashing .292/.411/.550 with eight home runs, 27 RBIs and 30 runs scored, while Baez has a .266 average with 13 homers, 42 RBIs, 31 runs and seven stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has given up 4.4 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starters have an ERA of 4.23, a WHIP of 1.23 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.5. The bullpen has a 3.86 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 9.8 K/9. In 19 divisional games, Pirates starters have an ERA of 3.38 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.35.
The Pittsburgh hitters have produced 4.8 runs per contest, including 5.6 per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .249/.299/.403 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Outfielders Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte have led the Pirates’ hitters this year. Dickerson is slashing .310/.348/.492 with five home runs, 31 RBIs and 23 runs scored, while Marte’s line is .305/.361/.509 with seven homers, 20 RBIs, 31 runs and 10 stolen bases.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .282/.325/.490, Dickerson didn’t seem to enjoy hitting against left-handed pitchers at home last season, slashing .279/.308/.393 over 65 such plate appearances.
The Cubs have lost 7.7 units and are 15-21 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 15 of those games, as opposed to 20 that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Pirates have netted 0.8 units and are 4-6 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over’s hit in eight of those games, compared to two that went under the total.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – UNDER
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Notes
Betting Trends
The Pirates have lost three of their last four games SU.
Pittsburgh has posted 21.0 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 22.4 over its last five.
The Cubs have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games. The Pirates have hit eight over their last 10.
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