The Chicago Cubs are traveling east to PNC Park to play their divisional rival Pittsburgh Pirates. The opening pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET and WGN will be televising the matchup.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Vegas is listing Pittsburgh (+130) as the underdog to Chicago (-140). If you think the game’s total will go under 9 runs, Vegas is currently offering -110 odds. Playing the over will give you -110 odds. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the odds standing at Cubs -1.5 runs (+105) and Pirates +1.5 runs (-125).
The Cubs have gone 64-57 SU this year and are 57-63 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t moved the needle a whole lot this year, losing 4.1 units for moneyline bettors and 5.8 units ATS. Chicago is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone over in three of those seven. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 50-70 SU and 58-62 ATS. They’ve lost 11.3 units for moneyline bettors and 19.1 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven.
Pittsburgh games have an over/under record of 69-45-6 in 2019. Chicago has an over/under record of 56-55-9.
The right-handed Kyle Hendricks will get the start for the visiting Cubs. Hendricks (8-9, 3.48 ERA) has racked up 114 strikeouts in 129.1 innings so far. He’s 0-1 with four strikeouts and a 6.00 ERA against Pittsburgh this year.
The Pirates will put the ball in the right hand of Joe Musgrove (8-11, 4.71 ERA, 1.26 WHIP), who’s got 115 strikeouts and 32 walks. Musgrove is 0-1 with 10 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA over two starts against Chicago this year.
As a unit, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has given up 5.5 runs per game overall this season. The team’s starting pitching staff has a 5.26 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.79 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 9.7 K/9. In 55 divisional games, Pirates starters have an ERA of 5.47 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.95.
Pittsburgh’s hitters are putting up 4.7 runs per outing, including 4.6 per game against divisional foes and 6.8 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .299/.355/.522 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Right fielder Starling Marte and first baseman Josh Bell have led the Pirates’ hitters this year. Marte is slashing .288/.331/.496 with 20 home runs, 69 RBIs, 82 runs and 20 stolen bases, while Bell’s line is .285/.367/.595 with 31 homers, 98 RBIs and 84 runs.
For the visitors, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.10 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 8.89 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.16, along with a WHIP of 1.27.
Cubs hitters have slashed .254/.335/.452 on their way to 5.0 runs scored per game this season, including 4.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
Chicago’s hitters have been paced by shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant, who have combined to drive in 140 runs. Baez is slashing .286/.318/.547 with 28 home runs, 81 RBIs and 82 runs scored. Bryant is slashing .289/.389/.532 with 24 homers, 59 RBIs and 87 runs scored.
The Cubs have gained 2.5 units and are 47-47 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 45 of those games, as opposed to 42 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Pirates have lost 5.6 units and are 45-45 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 48 of those games, compared to 37 which went under the total.
Cubs at Pirates MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The under has cashed in only two of Pittsburgh’s last seven games.
- The Cubs have a team OPS of .786 this season and an OPS of .801 against right-handed pitchers. The Pirates’ OPS sits at .755 overall and .771 against righties.
- The Cubs have dropped five of their last six games SU.
- Chicago has posted 23.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 17.0 over its last five.
- The Cubs have hit 19 home runs in their last 10 games. The Pirates have hit 15 over their last 10.
