The Pittsburgh Pirates will be facing off against their divisional rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. WGN will broadcast the matchup and the opening pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 91-65 straight up (SU) and 77-78 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 3.6 units for moneyline bettors while earning 1.3 units (ATS). Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total went over in four of those seven. The Pirates have gone 79-76 SU this year and are 74-80 ATS. Overall, the team’s gained 3.1 units for moneyline gamblers, but have lost 14.6 units ATS. Pittsburgh’s covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Cubs games have a 69-83-3 over/under record in 2018. Pittsburgh has also been a decent under bet with a total record of 68-76-10.
Right-hander Chris Archer is projected to start for Pittsburgh. Archer (5-8, 4.49 ERA) has recorded 153 strikeouts in 142.1 innings so far. This will be his first outing against Chicago this year. He made two starts against the team in 2017, compiling a 1-1 record with a 3.75 ERA and 14 strikeouts.
The Cubs are turning to lefty Mike Montgomery (5-5, 3.75 ERA), who has 82 strikeouts and 38 walks to his name as well as a WHIP of 1.33. Montgomery is 2-0 with seven strikeouts and a 2.63 ERA over two starts against Pittsburgh this year.
Pittsburgh’s pitching staff allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starters own a 3.96 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 7.58 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.16, along with a WHIP of 1.26.
The Pirates offense has slashed .254/.320/.406 on its way to 4.3 runs scored per game this year, including 4.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Outfielders Starling Marte and Corey Dickerson continue to lead Pittsburgh’s hitters. Marte is slashing .276/.321/.451 with 19 home runs, 69 RBIs, 76 runs and 33 steals. Dickerson (.296/.326/.466) is up to 12 homers, 53 RBIs and 63 runs scored.
For the home team, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game overall this season. The club’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.88, a WHIP of 1.33 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.9. The bullpen has a 3.35 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.6 K/9. In 70 divisional games, Cubs starters have an ERA of 3.35 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.75.
Chicago’s offense is putting up 4.7 runs per contest, including 4.2 per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .232/.303/.339 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo have led the charge for the Cubs’ hitters this year. Baez is hitting .292/.327/.566 with 34 home runs, 110 RBIs, 97 runs and 21 stolen bases, and Rizzo’s line is .278/.375/.463 with 24 homers, 96 RBIs and 69 runs.
The Pirates have lost 6.8 units and are 19-25 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 26 of those games, as opposed to 17 that’ve hit the under against lefties. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 0.2 units and are 59-61 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 53 of those games, as opposed to 64 which went under the total.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
The over has hit in four of Chicago’s last seven games.
Chicago has recorded 19.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 20.2 over its last five.
The Pirates have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
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