The Chicago Cubs will be squaring off against their divisional rival Pittsburgh Pirates in a Wednesday showdown. The action will begin at 7:05 p.m. ET and fans looking to watch it can tune in to NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
The Cubs are 45-41 SU and are 42-43 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 3.8 units for moneyline bettors and 0.5 units ATS. Chicago is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 41-43 SU and 43-40 ATS. They’ve gained 4.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline while gaining 4.4 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven.
Pittsburgh games have an over/under record of 47-32-4 so far in 2019. The Cubs have also been a decent over bet with a total record of 43-36-6.
Right-hander Yu Darvish is projected to start for the visiting Cubs. Darvish is 2-4 with a 4.98 ERA and 105 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with four strikeouts and a 6.75 ERA against Pittsburgh this year.
The Pirates are countering with Chris Archer (3-6, 5.50 ERA). Archer has 80 strikeouts and 38 walks, along with a 1.47 WHIP. Archer hasn’t faced the Cubs yet this year and only made one start against them in 2018 (1-0, 0.00 ERA and nine strikeouts across six innings).
As a unit, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has allowed 5.2 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starting pitching staff has a 4.85 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.86 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 9.8 K/9. In 31 divisional games, Pirates starters have an ERA of 4.40 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.02.
Pittsburgh’s offense is putting up 4.8 runs per contest, including 4.6 per game against divisional foes and 5.6 per game over its last five. The team has hit .306/.359/.512 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that span.
First baseman Josh Bell and right fielder Starling Marte have led the Pirates’ batters this year. Bell is slashing .306/.380/.650 with 25 home runs, 78 RBIs and 65 runs scored, and Marte’s line is .277/.321/.465 with 12 homers, 41 RBIs, 52 runs and 13 steals.
In the visiting dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starters own a 4.04 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.54 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.26, along with a K/9 of 8.89.
Cubs hitters have slashed .253/.337/.447 on their way to 5.0 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.8 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
Shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant continue to lead Chicago’s offense. Baez is slashing .285/.322/.552 with 21 home runs, 57 RBIs and 56 runs scored, while Bryant (.285/.393/.528) has produced 16 homers, 42 RBIs and 63 runs scored.
The Cubs have gained 0.3 units and are 35-33 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 35 of those games, compared to 29 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Pirates have netted 4.1 units and are 33-30 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 34 of those games, compared to 26 that went under.
Cubs vs. Pirates Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Chicago has logged 18 extra-base hits over its last five games. Pittsburgh has 21 XBH over its last five.
- The Cubs have an OPS of .785 this season and an OPS of .799 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Pirates’ OPS sits at .758 overall and .779 versus righties.
- The Cubs have lost four of their last five games SU.
- Chicago has recorded 22.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 21.8 over its last five.
- The Cubs have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games. The Pirates have hit 17 over their last 10.
