The Pittsburgh Pirates are heading west to Wrigley Field to square off against their divisional foe Chicago Cubs. The game gets going at 2:20 p.m. ET and the matchup will be televised on WLS and ATPT.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Pirates are 7-2 SU and have gone 5-3 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 3.6 units for moneyline bettors in this young season and 3.0 units ATS. The Cubs are 5-4 SU and 4-4 ATS. The team’s lost 2.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 0.3 units ATS.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 3-5 thus far in 2018. Pittsburgh has an over/under record of 6-2.
The Pirates have gained 2.6 units and are 4-3 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in five of those games, as opposed to two that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Cubs have netted 0.3 units and are 3-2 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in three of those games, compared to two that went under the total.
Ivan Nova (0-1, 6.10 ERA) will get the start for the visiting Pirates. The right-handed Nova started 31 games last year and finished the season 11-14 overall with a 4.14 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He made three starts against Chicago in 2017 and compiled a 2-1 record against the Cubs with a 4.86 ERA and 17 strikeouts.
The Cubbies are turning to righty Tyler Chatwood (0-1, 1.50 ERA), who started 25 games last year while finishing the season 8-15 overall with a 4.69 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.
As a unit, Chicago’s pitching staff has given up 2.9 runs per game overall this year. The club’s starters have an ERA of 3.88, a WHIP of 1.36 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.2. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 0.94, a WHIP of 0.99 and a K/9 of 9.9. In five divisional games, Cubs starters have an ERA of 1.86 and the bullpen’s ERA is 1.26.
The Chicago hitters are putting up 4.3 runs per outing, including 4.0 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .220/.325/.369 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Third baseman Kris Bryant and second baseman Ben Zobrist have led the Cubs’ offense this year. Bryant is hitting .324/.457/.622 with 12 hits, six RBIs and five runs scored, while Zobrist’s line is .360/.448/.520 with nine hits, three RBIs and two runs scored.
In the visiting dugout, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.14 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 7.49 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 5.67, along with a WHIP of 1.18.
Pirates hitters have slashed .283/.363/.455 on their way to 6.4 runs scored per game this season, including over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Pittsburgh’s hitters have been led by right fielder Gregory Polanco and second baseman Josh Harrison. Polanco is slashing .310/.447/.759 with nine hits, 13 RBIs and eight runs scored, while Harrison (.342/.409/.474) is up to 13 hits, five RBIs and 11 runs scored.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
The Pirates went 9-10 SU against the Cubs last season.
The Pirates have won three of their last four games SU
The Pirates’ bullpen managed 4.98 ERA against the Cubs last year.
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