The Chicago Cubs will be facing off against their divisional rival Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The matchup gets underway at 1:35 p.m. ET and fans can catch it on WLS and ATPT.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Vegas is listing Pittsburgh (-115) as the favorite over Chicago (+105). The total sits at 8.5 runs and bettors can take the over or the under for -110. Runline odds sit at -200 for taking the Cubs +1.5 runs and +170 for the Pirates -1.5.
The Pirates are 62-62 straight up (SU) and 59-64 against the spread (ATS). The team’s lost 1.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 9.3 units (ATS). Pittsburgh has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven. The Cubs are 71-51 SU and have gone 60-61 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 2.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline, but have lost 1.0 unit ATS. Chicago has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven.
Pittsburgh games have an over/under record of 58-57-8 in 2018. Chicago has been a decent under bet with a total record of 54-64-3.
Jose Quintana will get the start for the visiting Cubs. The southpaw Quintana (10-9, 4.46 ERA) has recorded 110 strikeouts in 124 innings so far. This is his first outing against Pittsburgh this year. He did make two starts against the team in 2017, putting together a 1-0 record with a 2.25 ERA and 15 strikeouts.
The Pirates are turning to righty Jameson Taillon (9-9, 3.66 ERA), who has 123 strikeouts and 36 walks to his name as well as a 1.23 WHIP. Taillon is 1-0 with two strikeouts and a 4.05 ERA in one start against Chicago this year.
Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.16 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 7.64 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.24, along with a WHIP of 1.37 and a K/9 of 8.85.
The Cubs offense has slashed .262/.343/.417 on its way to 4.8 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo continue to lead Chicago’s offense. Baez is hitting .287/.319/.561 with 25 home runs, 89 RBIs, 74 runs and 19 steals, while Rizzo has a .264 average with 18 homers, 78 RBIs and 49 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have yielded 4.5 runs per game overall this season. The club’s starters have a 4.14 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 7.2 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.17 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 9.6 K/9. In 50 divisional games, Pirates starters have an ERA of 3.28 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.63.
The Pittsburgh offense has produced 4.5 runs per outing, including 4.6 per game against divisional foes and 1.8 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .253/.326/.304 over its last five contests and is 1-4 SU during that span.
The Pirates’ hitters have been led by outfielders Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte. Dickerson is hitting .307/.339/.486 with 11 home runs, 46 RBIs and 52 runs scored, while Marte’s line sits at .276/.319/.463 with 17 homers, 57 RBIs, 63 runs and 28 stolen bases.
The Cubs have lost 2.9 units and are 45-49 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 42 of those games, compared to 49 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Pirates have lost 7.8 units and are 16-21 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has hit in 22 of those games, compared to 14 that’ve gone under.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Trends
The over has cashed in just two of Chicago’s last seven games.
Chicago has recorded 16.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 16.2 over its last five.
The Cubs have hit six home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
*****
