The Chicago Cubs will head east to take on their divisional rival Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The game will begin at 1:35 p.m. ET and the matchup will be shown on WLS and ATPT.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
The Cubs are 27-22 SU and are 21-27 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 7.0 units for moneyline gamblers and 6.8 units ATS. Chicago is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 28-24 SU and 24-27 ATS. They’ve gained 2.3 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 1.6 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven.
Pirates games have had an over/under record of 25-20-6 thus far in 2018. Chicago has been a decent under bet with a total record of 20-27-1.
The left-handed Mike Montgomery is getting the start for Chicago. Montgomery is 0-1 with a 5.33 ERA and 15 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA against Pittsburgh this year.
The Pirates are going with righty Chad Kuhl (4-2, 4.20 ERA), who has 53 punchouts and 19 walks to his credit, as well as a WHIP of 1.35. Kuhl hasn’t faced the Cubs yet this year, but he made four starts against them in 2017, putting together a 1-2 record with a 6.88 ERA.
As a unit, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has allowed 4.4 runs per game overall this year. The teams starters have a 4.23 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.86 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 9.8 K/9. In 19 games against NL Central foes, Pirates starters have an ERA of 3.38 and the bullpens ERA is 4.35.
The Pittsburgh hitters are putting up 4.8 runs per outing, including 5.6 per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over their last five. The teams hit .249/.299/.403 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Outfielders Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte have led the way for the Pirates offense this year. Dickerson is hitting .310/.348/.492 with five home runs, 31 RBIs and 23 runs scored, while Marte’s line is .305/.361/.509 with seven homers, 20 RBIs, 31 runs and 10 steals.
Dickerson had a minor decline in production when facing lefties at home last season. Over 65 such plate appearances, he slashed .279/.308/.393 (compared to his total season line of .282/.325/.490).
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 3.8 runs per game and its starters own a 3.84 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8.43 K/9. The bullpen has an outstanding ERA of just 2.71, along with a WHIP of 1.36.
Cubs hitters have slashed .258/.343/.430 on their way to 5.2 runs scored per game this year, including 4.7 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over the teams last five outings (2-3 SU).
Chicago’s offense has been powered by third baseman Kris Bryant and second baseman Javier Baez, who collectively have blasted 21 home runs. Bryant is slashing .292/.411/.550 with eight home runs, 27 RBIs and 30 runs scored, while Baez is hitting .266/.298/.574 with 13 homers, 42 RBIs, 31 runs and seven stolen bases.
The Cubs have lost 7.7 units and are 15-21 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 15 of those games, as opposed to 20 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Pirates have netted 0.8 units and are 4-6 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has hit in eight of those games, compared to two that went under.
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – UNDER
Betting Trends
- The Pirates have lost three of their last four games SU.
- Pittsburgh has recorded 21.0 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 22.4 over its last five.
- The Cubs have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games. The Pirates have hit eight over their last 10.
