Jake Arrieta (5-0, 1.00 ERA) takes the hill for the Chicago Cubs (18-6) as they square off against Jonathon Niese (3-0, 5.08 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (15-11) in the second of a three-game series at PNC Park. The Cubs won the last game 7-2, and Chicago leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May. 3 and can be seen on WGN and RTPT.
Niese pitched 5.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering five runs, striking out five and walking two in a 9-8 win over the Rockies. Gregory Polanco (.312, 18 Rs, 3 HRs, 15 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Arrieta went 5.0 innings, surrendering one run, striking out six and walking four in a 7-2 win over the Brewers in his most recent start. Anthony Rizzo (.230, 18 Rs, 8 HRs, 25 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Cubs, going 2 for 5 yesterday with two runs and one RBI.
The odds for Pittsburgh and Chicago are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. Within its division, Pittsburgh has a record of 11-2 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 8-5 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 0.983 for the season.
The Cubs have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC
Notes
Pittsburgh recorded at least two errors for the fifth time this season.
The Pirates managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Cubs who are coming in with a 15-1 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Pirates are 2-7. The Cubs have a 2-5 record when opponents outhit them.
Pittsburgh and Chicago both rank in the top half of the league in home runs. Pittsburgh sits at 15th with 25 home runs this season and Chicago ranks 12th with 28.
Pittsburgh ranks at the top of the league when it comes to hits with 10.23 per game this season. Chicago ranks in the top half at 11th with 8.50.
Ranking eighth, Chicago is in the top 10 of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.785). Pittsburgh ranks in the top five with an OPS of .818.
The Cubs are 7-3 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Pirates are 8-9 when they allow at least one homer.
