Javier Baez and the Chicago Cubs will be taking on their divisional rival Pittsburgh Pirates at BB&T Ballpark in a Sunday showdown. The matchup can be viewed across the country on ESPN. The game gets underway 7:10 p.m. ET.
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Las Vegas has Chicago (-150) as the favorite over Pittsburgh (+140). The total currently stands at 10 runs and bettors can play the over for -115 and the under for -105. This game currently has a runline of Cubs -1.5 (-105) and Pirates +1.5 (-115).
The Cubs are 65-58 SU and are 57-65 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 6.9 units for moneyline gamblers and 7.8 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread only once over its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 51-71 SU and 59-62 ATS. They’ve lost 10.0 units for moneyline bettors and 18.1 units ATS. Pittsburgh has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Pittsburgh games have an over/under record of 69-46-6 in 2019. Chicago has an over/under record of 57-56-9.
Jose Quintana is getting the nod for Chicago. The southpaw Quintana is 10-7 with a 4.11 ERA and 124 strikeouts. He’s 3-0 with 21 strikeouts and a 2.70 ERA against Pittsburgh this year (three starts).
The Pirates will put the ball in the right hand of Mitch Keller (1-1, 7.94 ERA, 2.00 WHIP), who has 19 strikeouts and eight walks. Keller has yet to face the Cubs this year and did not pitch in the majors in 2018.
Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 4.03 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 8.77 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.16, along with a WHIP of 1.27.
The Cubs offense has slashed .252/.333/.449 on its way to 4.9 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.8 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Chicago’s offense has been powered by shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant, who collectively have belted 53 home runs. Baez is hitting .284/.315/.542 with 28 home runs, 81 RBIs and 82 runs scored, while Bryant (.290/.391/.537) is up to 25 homers, 60 RBIs and 88 runs scored.
For the home team, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have yielded 5.4 runs per game overall in 2019. The club’s starters have an ERA of 5.18, a WHIP of 1.41 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.4. The bullpen has a 4.77 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 9.7 K/9. In 57 divisional games, Pirates starters have an ERA of 5.29 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.91.
The Pittsburgh hitters are putting up 4.7 runs per contest, including 4.5 per game against divisional foes and 5.4 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .257/.343/.411 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Right fielder Starling Marte and first baseman Josh Bell have paced the Pirates’ batters this year. Marte is hitting .288/.331/.492 with 20 home runs, 69 RBIs, 83 runs and 21 stolen bases, while Bell’s line is .282/.367/.589 with 31 homers, 98 RBIs and 84 runs.
The Cubs have gained 1.1 units and are 47-48 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 45 of those games, compared to 43 that’ve gone under in such games. 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, as opposed to eight that’ve cashed the under.
Cubs vs. Pirates Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has cashed in four of Pittsburgh’s last seven games.
- Chicago has posted 20.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 13.2 over its last five.
- The Cubs have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games. The Pirates have hit 12 over their last 10.
- The Cubs have an OPS of .782 this season and an OPS of .797 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Pirates’ OPS sits at .750 overall and .766 against righties.
