The Chicago Cubs will go for their fourth win in a row when they play host to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. The opening pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET and the matchup will be shown on WLS and ATPT.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 36-24 SU and 29-30 ATS. They’ve lost 1.4 units for moneyline bettors and 0.1 units against the spread (ATS). The Pirates have gone 31-32 SU this year and are 28-34 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 3.0 units for moneyline bettors and 7.4 units ATS.
Chicago games have a 25-33-1 over/under record so far in 2018. Pittsburgh has an over/under record of 30-26-6.
Nick Kingham will get the start for Pittsburgh. The right-handed Kingham is 2-2 with a 4.03 ERA and 30 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with four strikeouts and a 4.76 ERA against Chicago this year.
The Cubs will turn to lefty Jon Lester (6-2, 2.44 ERA) to the mound. Lester has 61 strikeouts and 25 walks to his name, as well as a 1.16 WHIP. Lester is 1-0 with nine strikeouts and a 6.55 ERA over two starts against Pittsburgh this year.
Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 3.6 runs per game overall this year as a unit. The team’s starters have an ERA of 3.60, a WHIP of 1.31 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.3. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 2.62, a WHIP of 1.20 and a K/9 of 9.2. In 25 divisional games, Cubs starters have an ERA of 2.27 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.77.
Chicago’s offense is putting up 5.1 runs per outing, including 4.7 per game against divisional foes and 3.4 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .228/.299/.336 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Cubs’ offense has been led by Kris Bryant, who is hitting .301/.406/.514 with eight home runs, 29 RBIs and 35 runs scored.
For the visiting squad, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have allowed 4.6 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.21 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 7.55 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.39, along with a K-per-9 of 9.51.
The Pirates offense has slashed .255/.328/.416 on its way to 4.6 runs scored per game this year, including 4.8 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Corey Dickerson has led Pittsburgh’s hitters and is slashing .321/.356/.487 with five home runs, 32 RBIs and 31 runs scored.
The Cubs are looking for another victory following a 3-1 win in the prior game of this series.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Trends
The under has hit in four of Pittsburgh’s last seven games.
Both teams have hit nine home runs over their last 10 games.
Pittsburgh has averaged 21.1 runs + hits + errors over its last 10 outings and 18.6 over its last five.
The Pirates have lost five of their last six games SU while the Cubs have won seven of their last eight SU.
+++++
