The Pittsburgh Pirates will head west to Wrigley Field to take on their divisional rival Chicago Cubs. NBC Sports Chicago will be airing the matchup and the game will get underway at 2:20 p.m. ET.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Pirates are 44-45 SU and are 47-42 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 6.6 units for gamblers taking the moneyline, despite having lost 2.9 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in six of those seven. The Cubs, on the other hand, are 47-43 SU and 44-46 ATS. They’ve lost 6.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 1.2 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the over has cashed in four of those seven.
Chicago games have a 45-39-6 over/under record so far in 2019. Pittsburgh has also been a strong over bet with a total record of 52-33-4.
Right-hander Chris Archer will get the start for the visiting Pirates. Archer (3-6, 5.49 ERA) has recorded 88 strikeouts in 78.2 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with eight strikeouts and a 5.40 ERA against Chicago this year.
The Cubs are handing the ball to righty Yu Darvish (2-4, 5.01 ERA), who has 111 strikeouts and 49 walks, along with a 1.34 WHIP. Darvish is 0-1 with 10 strikeouts and a 6.00 ERA over two starts against Pittsburgh this year.
Chicago’s pitching staff has given up 4.4 runs per game overall this year as a unit. The team’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.02, a WHIP of 1.29 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.5. The bullpen has a 4.20 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 8.9 K/9. In 31 games against NL Central foes, Cubs starters have an ERA of 4.00 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.24.
The Chicago hitters are putting up 5.1 runs per outing, including 5.0 per game against divisional foes and 4.8 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .256/.333/.500 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant have led the Cubs’ hitters this year. Baez is hitting .289/.324/.556 with 22 home runs, 62 RBIs and 59 runs scored, and Bryant’s line is .297/.403/.552 with 17 homers, 44 RBIs and 66 runs.
In the other dugout, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starters own a 4.88 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 8.34 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.96, along with a WHIP of 1.40.
The Pirates offense has slashed .271/.329/.437 on its way to 4.9 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 6.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Pittsburgh’s hitters have been paced by first baseman Josh Bell and outfielder Starling Marte. Bell is slashing .302/.376/.648 with 27 home runs, 84 RBIs and 69 runs scored. Marte (.279/.321/.464) is up to 12 homers, 45 RBIs, 54 runs and 13 stolen bases.
The Pirates have gained 7.5 units and are 37-31 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 38 of those games, compared to 27 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 1.9 units and are 37-36 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 37 of those games, as opposed to 32 that’ve cashed the under.
Pirates at Cubs Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in three of Chicago’s last seven games.
- The Pirates have a total OPS of .766 this season and an OPS of .789 against right-handed pitchers. The Cubs’ OPS sits at .790 overall and .806 against righties.
- Chicago has recorded 23.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 22.4 over its last five.
- The Pirates have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit 16 over their last 10.
