The Pittsburgh Pirates are trying to avoid losing their fourth consecutive game as they play host to the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. The game gets underway 7:05 p.m. ET and WGN will be televising the matchup.
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Chicago (-130) is entering this game as the favorite over Pittsburgh (+120) and Vegas has the Over/Under for this night game at 8 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total stand at -110 for both the over and the under. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the current odds standing at +115 for the Cubs -1.5 runs and -135 for the Pirates +1.5.
The Cubs are 28-22 SU and are 22-27 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 6.0 units for moneyline bettors and 5.7 units ATS. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 28-25 SU and 24-28 ATS. They’ve gained 1.1 units for moneyline bettors while earning 2.5 units ATS.
Pittsburgh games have a 26-20-6 over/under record so far in 2018. The Cubs have been a decent under bet with a total record of 21-27-1.
Southpaw Jon Lester is getting the nod for Chicago. Lester is 4-2 with a 2.37 ERA and 48 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with three strikeouts and a 7.20 ERA against Pittsburgh this year (four starts).
The Pirates are sending righty Nick Kingham (2-1, 3.44 ERA) to the mound. Kingham has 21 strikeouts and two walks to his name, as well as a 0.76 WHIP. Kingham hasn’t faced the Cubs yet this year and did not record any MLB pitching stats in 2017.
As a unit, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has allowed 4.4 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have an ERA of 4.17, a WHIP of 1.23 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.5. The bullpen has a 4.05 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 9.8 K/9. In 20 divisional games, Pirates starters have an ERA of 3.28 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.86.
The Pittsburgh hitters are putting up 4.7 runs per outing, including 5.3 per game against divisional foes and 3.4 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .201/.235/.333 over its last five contests and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
The Pirates’ batters have been led by Corey Dickerson, who is slashing .311/.348/.489 with five home runs, 31 RBIs and 23 runs scored. Dickerson had a minor decline in production against lefties at home last year. Across 65 such plate appearances, he slashed .279/.308/.393 (compared to his overall season line of .282/.325/.490).
In the visiting dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 3.7 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.76 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 8.42 K/9. The bullpen has logged an outstanding ERA of just 2.66, along with a WHIP of 1.33 and a K-per-9 of 9.17.
Cubs hitters have slashed .260/.344/.431 on their way to 5.3 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.8 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Javier Baez has led Chicago’s offense. Baez is hitting .269/.300/.570 with 13 home runs, 42 RBIs, 32 runs and seven stolen bases.
The Cubs are coming off a 7-0 victory in the prior game of this series.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The over has cashed in three of Chicago’s last seven games.
The Cubs have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games. The Pirates have hit eight over their last 10.
Chicago fielders have four errors over the last 10 games, compared to nine errors for Pittsburgh over its last 10.
The Pirates have lost four of their last five games SU.
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