The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to face their NL Central foe Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The matchup will begin at 8:05 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to WGN to catch the action.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 91-65 straight up (SU) and 77-78 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 3.6 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 1.3 units (ATS). Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Pirates, on the other hand, have gone 79-76 SU this year and are 74-80 ATS. Overall, the team’s accumulated 3.1 units for gamblers taking the moneyline, but have lost 14.6 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 69-83-3 in 2018. Pittsburgh has also been a decent under bet with a total record of 68-76-10.
Chris Archer is getting the start for the visiting Pirates. The right-handed Archer is 5-8 with a 4.49 ERA and 153 strikeouts. This will be his first start against Chicago this year. He did make two starts against the team in 2017, posting a 1-1 record with a 3.75 ERA and 14 strikeouts.
The Cubs will send lefty Mike Montgomery (5-5, 3.75 ERA) to the mound. Montgomery has 82 strikeouts and 38 walks to his credit, as well as a WHIP of 1.33. Montgomery is 2-0 with seven strikeouts and a 2.63 ERA over two starts against Pittsburgh this year.
Pittsburgh’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.96 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 7.58 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.16, along with a K-per-9 of 9.52.
The Pirates offense has slashed .254/.320/.406 on its way to 4.3 runs scored per game this year, including 4.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Pittsburgh’s offensive production has been fueled 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. Dickerson (.296/.326/.466) has produced 12 homers, 53 RBIs and 63 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game overall this season. The club’s starting pitching staff has a 3.88 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.35 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.6 K/9. In 70 games against divisional foes, Cubs starters have an ERA of 3.35 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.75.
The Chicago hitters are putting up 4.7 runs per contest, including 4.2 per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .232/.303/.339 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo have paced the Cubs’ hitters this year. Baez is hitting .292/.327/.566 with 34 home runs, 110 RBIs, 97 runs and 21 stolen bases, while Rizzo’s line sits at .278/.375/.463 with 24 homers, 96 RBIs and 69 runs.
The Pirates have lost 6.8 units and are 19-25 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in 26 of those games, compared to 17 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 0.2 units and are 59-61 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 53 of those games, compared to 64 that went under the total.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Pittsburgh has recorded 16 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Chicago has 11 XBH over its last five.
- Chicago has recorded 19.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 20.2 over its last five.
- The Pirates have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
