The Pittsburgh Pirates will face their division rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The game gets underway 8:05 p.m. ET and NBC Sports Chicago will be showing the matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 91-66 straight up (SU) and 77-79 against the spread (ATS). The team has gained 2.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 2.3 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 have gone 80-76 SU this year and are 75-80 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 4.5 units for moneyline bettors, but have lost 13.6 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Cubs games have an over/under record of 69-84-3 in 2018. Pittsburgh has also been a decent under bet with a total record of 68-77-10.
Ivan Nova is getting the nod for the visiting Pirates. The right-handed Nova (9-9, 4.01 ERA) has racked up 111 punchouts in 157 innings so far. He’s 2-1 with 17 strikeouts and a 2.33 ERA against Chicago this year (three starts).
The Cubs will put the ball in the left hand of Jose Quintana (13-11, 4.11 ERA), who has 150 strikeouts and 68 walks this season as well as a 1.34 WHIP. Quintana is 0-0 with four strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA in one start against Pittsburgh this year.
Pittsburgh’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.93 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 7.62 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.13, along with a K-per-9 of 9.49.
Pirates hitters have slashed .254/.320/.406 on their way to 4.3 runs scored per game this season, including 4.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Outfielders Starling Marte and Corey Dickerson continue to lead Pittsburgh’s offense. Marte is slashing .276/.323/.452 with 19 home runs, 69 RBIs, 77 runs and 33 stolen bases, while Dickerson has a .299 average with 12 homers, 53 RBIs and 64 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have given up 4.0 runs per game overall this season. Its starting pitching staff has a 3.92 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.34 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.6 K/9. In 71 games against divisional foes, Cubs starters have an ERA of 3.43 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.71.
Chicago’s offense has produced 4.7 runs per outing, including 4.1 per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .250/.315/.361 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo have led the Cubs’ batters this year. Baez is slashing .294/.328/.565 with 34 home runs, 110 RBIs, 97 runs and 21 steals, and Rizzo’s line sits at .278/.376/.464 with 24 homers, 96 RBIs and 69 runs.
The Pirates have lost 5.4 units and are 20-25 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in 26 of those games, compared to 18 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 1.7 units and are 59-62 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 53 of those games, compared to 65 which went under the total.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The under has cashed in four of Pittsburgh’s last seven games.
- Chicago has posted 18.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 21.8 over its last five.
- Both teams have hit eight home runs over their last 10 games.
