The Chicago Cubs are traveling east to face their divisional rival Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. NBC Sports Chicago will televise the action and the first pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Chicago (-110) as the favorite over Pittsburgh (+100). The total sits at 9.5 runs and bettors can wager on either the over or the under for -110. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds sitting at Cubs -1.5 runs (+135) and Pirates +1.5 runs (-155).
The Cubs are 45-39 SU and are 42-41 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 1.4 units for moneyline bettors, despite having gained 1.5 units ATS. Chicago’s covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 39-43 SU and 41-40 ATS. The team’s gained 4.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 6.4 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven.
Pittsburgh games have a 46-31-4 over/under record so far in 2019. The Cubs have an over/under record of 41-36-6.
Adbert Alzolay is getting the start for Chicago. The right-handed Alzolay (1-0, 2.08 ERA) has recorded nine strikeouts in 8.2 innings so far. He has yet to face the Pirates this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Pirates are planning to start righty Trevor Williams (2-2, 4.25 ERA), who has 53 strikeouts and 10 walks, along with a 1.19 WHIP. Williams made three starts against the Cubs in 2018, posting a 1-2 record with a 2.50 ERA and 13 strikeouts.
As a unit, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has given up 5.3 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have an ERA of 4.84, a WHIP of 1.39 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.3. The bullpen has a 4.98 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 9.8 K/9. In 29 games against divisional foes, Pirates starters have an ERA of 4.35 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.37.
Pittsburgh’s hitters have put up 4.6 runs per outing, including 4.1 per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .291/.351/.543 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that span.
First baseman Josh Bell and right fielder Starling Marte have led the charge for the Pirates’ hitters this year. Bell is slashing .301/.376/.625 with 22 home runs, 70 RBIs and 61 runs scored, while Marte’s line is .276/.319/.465 with 12 homers, 39 RBIs, 50 runs and 12 stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.91 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 8.51 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.99, along with a WHIP of 1.27 and a K/9 of 9.03.
Cubs hitters have slashed .252/.338/.449 on their way to 5.1 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant have led Chicago’s hitters. Baez is hitting .284/.322/.546 with 20 home runs, 56 RBIs and 55 runs scored, while Bryant (.287/.398/.537) is up to 16 homers, 41 RBIs and 63 runs scored.
The Cubs have gained 2.8 units and are 35-31 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 33 of those games, as opposed to 29 that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Pirates have netted 4.0 units and are 31-30 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 33 of those games, compared to 25 that’ve cashed the under.
Cubs at Pirates Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has hit in three of Pittsburgh’s last seven games.
- The Cubs have a team OPS of .786 this season and an OPS of .802 against right-handed pitchers. The Pirates’ OPS sits at .746 overall and .762 versus righties.
- Pittsburgh has recorded 26.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 26.2 over its last five.
- Both teams have hit 13 home runs over their last 10 games.
