The Chicago Cubs will be taking the field against their division rival Pittsburgh Pirates in a Thursday showdown. The matchup is going to be televised nationally on ESPN and the first pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET.
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Pittsburgh (+110) is the home-team underdog against Chicago (-120) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this afternoon game at 9.5 runs (-115 for the over and -105 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds sitting at Cubs -1.5 runs (+125) and Pirates +1.5 runs (-145).
The Cubs have gone 45-42 SU this year and are 42-44 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 5.0 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 1.5 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 42-43 SU and 44-40 ATS. The team’s gained 5.4 units for moneyline bettors while earning 3.4 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Pirates games have a 47-33-4 over/under record so far in 2019. Cubs games have gone over 43 times, gone under 37 times and pushed on six occasions.
The southpaw Jose Quintana is the probable starter for the visiting Cubs. Quintana (5-7, 4.21 ERA) has recorded 78 strikeouts in 94 innings so far. He’s 1-0 with 11 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA against Pittsburgh this year.
The Pirates are handing the ball to righty Jordan Lyles (5-4, 3.71 ERA), who has 71 strikeouts and 26 walks, along with a WHIP of 1.22. Lyles is 1-0 with 10 strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA in one start against Chicago this year.
As a unit, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has allowed 5.2 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.85, a WHIP of 1.40 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.4. The bullpen has a 4.86 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 9.8 K/9. In 32 divisional games, Pirates starters have an ERA of 4.43 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.00.
Pittsburgh’s hitters have put up 4.8 runs per contest, including 4.6 per game against divisional foes and 6.2 per game over their last five. The team has hit .316/.361/.556 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
The Pirates’ offense has been led by first baseman Josh Bell and right fielder Starling Marte. Bell is slashing .309/.381/.660 with 26 home runs, 80 RBIs and 67 runs scored, and Marte’s line is .283/.326/.471 with 12 homers, 41 RBIs, 53 runs and 13 stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starters own a 4.05 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.53 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.29, along with a WHIP of 1.29.
The Cubs offense has slashed .253/.337/.448 on its way to 5.0 runs scored per game this year, including 4.8 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant have paced Chicago’s hitters. Baez is slashing .289/.326/.561 with 22 home runs, 58 RBIs and 57 runs scored. Bryant is hitting .285/.393/.528 with 16 homers, 42 RBIs and 63 runs scored.
The Cubs have lost 0.9 units and are 35-34 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 35 of those games, compared to 30 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Pirates have netted 0.1 units and are 10-10 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has hit in 13 of those games, compared to six that’ve gone under.
Cubs vs. Pirates Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in three of Chicago’s last seven contests.
- The Cubs have a total OPS of .785 this season and an OPS of .798 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Pirates’ OPS stands at .760 overall and .781 versus righties.
- The Cubs have dropped five of their last six games SU.
- Chicago has recorded 22.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 23.4 over its last five.
- The Cubs have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games, including eight over their last five.
