The Pittsburgh Pirates will head west to face off against their NL Central rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The matchup will begin at 8:05 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to NBC Sports Chicago to catch the game.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs Odds
Jameson Taillon will get the start for Pittsburgh. The right-handed Taillon is 13-9 with a 3.24 ERA and 167 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with 10 strikeouts and a 2.84 ERA against Chicago this year (two starts).
The Cubs are sending lefty Cole Hamels (9-10, 3.90 ERA) to the mound. Hamels has 173 strikeouts and 61 walks to his credit, as well as a 1.29 WHIP. Hamels is 2-0 with 12 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA over two starts against Pittsburgh this year.
Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 3.89, a WHIP of 1.33 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.9. The bullpen has a 3.33 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.6 K/9. In 69 divisional games, Cubs starters have an ERA of 3.35 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.72.
The Chicago offense is putting up 4.7 runs per contest, including 4.2 per game against divisional foes and 5.4 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .251/.315/.388 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo have led the Cubs’ batters this year. Baez is hitting .293/.328/.568 with 34 home runs, 110 RBIs, 97 runs and 21 stolen bases, and Rizzo’s line sits at .277/.374/.464 with 24 homers, 96 RBIs and 69 runs.
In the other dugout, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 3.98 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 7.59 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.17, along with a K-per-9 of 9.53.
Pirates hitters have slashed .254/.320/.406 on their way to 4.3 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Pittsburgh’s offensive production has been powered by outfielders Starling Marte and Corey Dickerson. Marte is slashing .276/.321/.451 with 19 home runs, 69 RBIs, 76 runs and 33 stolen bases, while Dickerson (.298/.327/.469) has produced 12 homers, 53 RBIs and 63 runs scored.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
Pittsburgh has logged 14 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Chicago has 15 XBH over its last five.
Chicago has recorded 20.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 23.8 over its last five.
The Pirates have hit six home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
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