The struggling Pittsburgh Pirates will look to avoid losing their fifth straight game when they play host to the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. The action will get going at 7:05 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to NBC Sports Chicago to catch the game.
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Vegas has listed Pittsburgh (+120) as the underdog to Chicago (-130). The total stands at 8.5 runs and bettors can take the over for +100 and the under for -120. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds sitting at Cubs -1.5 runs (+115) and Pirates +1.5 runs (-135).
The Cubs have gone 70-50 SU this year and are 60-59 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 0.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 1.0 unit ATS. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 61-61 SU and 57-64 ATS. The team’s gained 0.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 11.3 units ATS.
Pirates games have an over/under record of 58-55-8 in 2018. Chicago has been a decent under bet with a total record of 54-62-3.
Left-hander Cole Hamels is projected to start for the visiting Cubbies. Hamels is 7-9 with a 4.22 ERA and 134 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with nine strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA against Pittsburgh this year.
The Pirates will send righty Trevor Williams (10-8, 3.66 ERA) to the mound. Williams has 82 strikeouts and 41 walks to his name, as well as a 1.24 WHIP. Williams is 1-0 with five strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA in one start against Chicago this year.
Pittsburgh’s pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 4.20, a WHIP of 1.31 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.2. The bullpen has a 4.21 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 9.6 K/9. In 48 games against NL Central foes, Pirates starters have an ERA of 3.38 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.73.
Pittsburgh’s hitters are putting up 4.5 runs per contest, including 4.8 per game against divisional foes and 2.6 per game over their last five. The team has hit .215/.273/.288 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that span.
Corey Dickerson has helped lead the Pirates’ offense this season with 11 home runs, 46 RBIs and 52 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 4.17 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 7.71 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.30, along with a K/9 of 8.86.
Cubs hitters have slashed .264/.345/.419 on their way to 4.9 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Javier Baez has sparked Chicago’s offense and is slashing .293/.325/.571 with 25 home runs, 89 RBIs, 74 runs and 19 steals.
The Cubs are looking for another win following a 1-0 victory in the prior game of the series.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The over has cashed in three of Pittsburgh’s last seven games.
The Cubs have hit seven home runs in their last 10 games, including four over their last five.
Pittsburgh has posted 22.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 16.6 over its last five.
The Pirates have dropped five of their last six games SU.
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