The Pittsburgh Pirates are playing host to the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. The matchup will get underway at 7:05 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to WGN to catch the game.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Chicago (-115) is entering this game as the favorite over Pittsburgh (+105) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this game at 8.5 runs (-115 for the over and -105 for the under). The games most recent runline odds stand at +130 for taking the Cubs -1.5 runs and -150 for the Pirates +1.5.
The Cubs are 60-44 SU and have gone 54-51 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 1.1 units for moneyline gamblers and 3.2 units ATS. Chicago is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has hit in six of those seven. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 55-51 SU and 52-55 ATS. They’ve gained 2.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 4.6 units ATS. Pittsburgh has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Pittsburgh games have had an over/under record of 50-49-8 in 2018. The Cubs have been a decent under bet with a total record of 49-55-1.
Cole Hamels is getting the nod for the visiting Cubs. The left-handed Hamels is 5-9 with a 4.72 ERA and 114 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Pirates this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Pirates are putting the ball in the hands of righty Nick Kingham (5-5, 4.80 ERA), who has 55 punchouts and 18 walks, as well as a WHIP of 1.23. Kingham is 0-1 with nine strikeouts and a 3.75 ERA over two starts against Chicago this year.
Pittsburgh’s pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game overall this season as a unit. Its starters have a 4.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.25 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 10.0 K/9. In 42 games against NL Central foes, Pirates starters have an ERA of 3.21 and the bullpens ERA is 3.72.
Pittsburgh’s hitters have produced 4.6 runs per outing, including 5.0 per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .268/.335/.446 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Outfielders Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte have paced the Pirates batters this year. Dickerson is hitting .318/.351/.517 with 11 home runs, 44 RBIs and 50 runs scored, while Marte is batting .289 with 16 homers, 54 RBIs, 57 runs and 25 stolen bases.
For the visiting squad, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 4.16 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 7.58 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.23, along with a K-per-9 of 8.89.
The Cubs offense has slashed .265/.348/.422 on its way to 5.0 runs scored per game this season, including 4.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.8 per game over the teams last five outings (2-3 SU).
Chicago’s offense has been sparked by second baseman Javier Baez and outfielder Albert Almora Jr.. Baez is slashing .296/.327/.562 with 21 home runs, 77 RBIs, 65 runs and 19 stolen bases, while Almora Jr. (.307/.344/.421) has produced four homers, 30 RBIs and 50 runs scored.
The Cubs have lost 7.2 units and are 39-41 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 38 of those games, compared to 41 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Pirates have lost 5.3 units and are 12-16 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 17 of those games, compared to 10 which went under the total.
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has hit in just two of Pittsburgh’s last seven games.
- The Cubs have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
- Chicago fielders have two errors over the last 10 games, compared to eight errors for Pittsburgh over its last 10.
