The Pittsburgh Pirates will play host to the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. NBC Sports Chicago will broadcast the matchup and the game is scheduled to get underway at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Chicago (-115) is entering this game as the favorite against Pittsburgh (+105) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this night game at 9 runs. Odds for betting on the game’s total currently sit at -110 for both the over and the under. Runline odds stand at +130 for picking the Cubs -1.5 runs and -150 for the Pirates +1.5.
The Cubs are 45-40 SU and have gone 42-42 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 2.5 units for moneyline bettors, despite having gained 0.5 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 40-43 SU and 42-40 ATS. They’ve gained 3.1 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 5.4 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Pittsburgh games have had an over/under record of 46-32-4 so far in 2019. The Cubs have also been a decent over bet with a total record of 42-36-6.
Kyle Hendricks will get the start for Chicago. The right-handed Hendricks is 7-5 with a 3.36 ERA and 75 strikeouts. He has yet to face Pittsburgh this year, but he made three starts against the Pirates in 2018, posting a 0-3 record against them with a 2.81 ERA and 12 strikeouts.
The Pirates are turning to righty Joe Musgrove (6-7, 4.27 ERA), who’s got 74 strikeouts and 22 walks, along with a 1.25 WHIP. Musgrove is 0-1 with six strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Chicago this year.
As a unit, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have given up 5.3 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starting pitching staff has a 4.88 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.93 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 9.7 K/9. In 30 divisional games, Pirates starters have an ERA of 4.48 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.21.
Pittsburgh’s offense is putting up 4.7 runs per outing, including 4.6 per game against divisional foes and 6.6 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .328/.373/.600 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Pirates’ hitters have been led by first baseman Josh Bell and outfielder Starling Marte. Bell is hitting .308/.381/.654 with 25 home runs, 77 RBIs and 65 runs scored, while Marte is batting .275 with 12 homers, 40 RBIs, 52 runs and 13 stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.5 runs per game and its starters own a 4.02 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.52 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.24, along with a WHIP of 1.29 and a K-per-9 of 8.99.
Cubs hitters have slashed .254/.338/.449 on their way to 5.1 runs scored per game this year, including 4.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant have paced Chicago’s hitters. Baez is slashing .285/.323/.556 with 21 home runs, 57 RBIs and 56 runs scored, while Bryant (.289/.398/.535) is up to 16 homers, 42 RBIs and 63 runs scored.
The Cubs have gained 1.6 units and are 35-32 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 34 of those games, compared to 29 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Pirates have netted 3.0 units and are 32-30 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 33 of those games, compared to 26 that’ve gone under.
Cubs at Pirates Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has cashed in four of Chicago’s last seven games.
- The Cubs have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games, including eight over their last five.
- The Cubs have an OPS of .788 this season and an OPS of .803 against right-handed pitchers. The Pirates’ OPS stands at .758 overall and .778 versus righties.
- Pittsburgh has posted 29.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 30.2 over its last five.
- The Cubs have lost three of their last four games SU.
