The Chicago Cubs will be taking on their division rival Pittsburgh Pirates in a Saturday showdown. The opening pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET and the action will be shown on either WLS or ATPT.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Chicago (receiving -135) is entering this one as the favorite against Pittsburgh (+125) and oddsmakers have the Over/Under for this day game at 10 runs. Odds for wagering on the game’s total now stand at -120 for the under and +100 for the over. You can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds sitting at +110 for the Cubs -1.5 runs and -130 for the Pirates +1.5 runs.
The Cubs are 64-58 SU and have gone 57-64 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 5.5 units for moneyline gamblers and 6.8 units ATS. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 51-70 SU and 58-62 ATS. They’ve lost 11.3 units for moneyline bettors and 19.1 units ATS.
Pirates games have an over/under record of 69-45-6 in 2019. The Cubs have an over/under record of 57-55-9.
Jon Lester will get the nod for the visiting Cubs. The southpaw Lester (9-8, 4.43 ERA) has recorded 129 punchouts in 128 innings so far. He’s 1-0 with 10 strikeouts and a 3.12 ERA against Pittsburgh this year (two starts).
The Pirates will turn to lefty Steven Brault (3-1, 4.33 ERA), who has 62 strikeouts and 36 walks, along with a 1.51 WHIP. Brault is 0-0 with two strikeouts and a 12.00 ERA against Chicago this year.
As a unit, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have given up 5.5 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starting pitching staff has a 5.22 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.77 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 9.7 K/9. In 56 games against NL Central foes, Pirates starters have an ERA of 5.39 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.91.
Pittsburgh’s offense is putting up 4.7 runs per contest, including 4.6 per game against divisional foes and 7.2 per game over its last five. The team has hit .298/.362/.508 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
Right fielder Starling Marte and first baseman Josh Bell have led the Pirates’ batters this year. Marte is slashing .288/.330/.494 with 20 home runs, 69 RBIs, 83 runs and 21 stolen bases, and Bell’s line is .283/.366/.591 with 31 homers, 98 RBIs and 84 runs scored.
For the visiting squad, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.07 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 8.81 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.19, along with a K/9 of 8.76.
The Cubs offense has slashed .253/.334/.450 on its way to 4.9 runs scored per game this season, including 4.8 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
Chicago’s offense has been led by shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant, who have combined to drive in 140 runs. Baez is slashing .286/.317/.547 with 28 home runs, 81 RBIs and 82 runs scored, while Bryant is slashing .289/.388/.530 with 24 homers, 59 RBIs and 87 runs scored.
The Cubs have lost 8.1 units and are 10-17 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 12 of those games, as opposed to 13 that’ve hit the under against lefties. On the other hand, the Pirates have lost 5.7 units and are 13-17 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 21 of those games, compared to eight that’ve gone under.
Cubs vs. Pirates Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has cashed in only two of Chicago’s last seven games.
- The Cubs have a team OPS of .784 this season and an OPS of .749 when facing left-handed pitchers. The Pirates’ OPS stands at .752 overall and .651 against southpaws.
- The Cubs have lost six of their last seven games SU while the Pirates have won three of their last four.
- Pittsburgh has recorded 23.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 28.8 over its last five.
- The Cubs have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games. The Pirates have hit 14 over their last 10.
