The Chicago Cubs will play host to their NL Central nemesis Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. The opening pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET and the matchup will be televised on either WLS or ATPT.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 5-4 SU and 5-4 ATS. The team’s lost 1.8 units for moneyline bettors while earning 0.9 units against the spread (ATS). The Pirates have gone 7-2 SU this year and are 6-3 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 4.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and 4.3 units ATS.
Cubs games have an over/under record of 3-6 so far in 2018. Pittsburgh has an over/under record of 6-3.
The Cubs are coming off of a 3-0 win against the Brewers, while the Pirates just got a 5-0 victory over the Reds.
Right-hander Ivan Nova (0-1, 6.10 ERA) will get the nod for the visiting Pirates. Nova started 31 games last year and finished the season 11-14 overall with a 4.14 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He made three starts against the Cubs in 2017 and put together a 2-1 record against them with a 4.86 ERA and 17 strikeouts.
The Cubs have tabbed righty Tyler Chatwood (0-1, 1.50 ERA) as their starter. Chatwood started 25 games last year and finished the season 8-15 overall with a 4.69 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.
As a unit, Chicago’s pitchers have given up 2.9 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.88, a WHIP of 1.36 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.2. The bullpen has a solid ERA of just 0.94, a WHIP of 0.99 and a K/9 of 9.9. In five games against divisional foes, Cubs starters have an ERA of 1.86 and the bullpen’s ERA is 1.26.
The Chicago hitters have produced 4.3 runs per outing, including 4.0 per game over their last five. The team has hit .220/.325/.369 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
Kris Bryant has helped lead the Cubs’ offense this season with 12 hits, six RBIs and five runs scored. .
For the visiting squad, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starters own a 3.14 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 7.49 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 5.67, along with a K/9 of 7.56.
The Pirates offense has slashed .283/.363/.455 on its way to 6.4 runs scored per game in 2018, including over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Pittsburgh’s offense has been paced by Gregory Polanco. Polanco is slashing .310/.447/.759 with nine hits, 13 RBIs and eight runs scored.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The Pirates went 9-10 SU against the Cubs last season.
- The Pirates have won three of their last four games SU.
- The Pirates’ bullpen managed 4.98 ERA against the Cubs last year.
