The Chicago Cubs are playing host to their division foe Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. WGN is in line to televise the matchup and the first pitch will be at 2:20 p.m. ET.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs Odds
The Cubs are 48-43 straight up (SU) and 44-46 against the spread (ATS). The team’s lost 6.0 units for moneyline bettors and 1.2 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Pirates are 44-46 SU and have gone 47-42 against the spread. In total, the club has gained 6.6 units for gamblers taking the moneyline, but have lost 2.9 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in six of those seven.
Chicago games have had an over/under record of 45-39-6 so far in 2019. The Pirates have also been a great over bet with a total record of 52-33-4.
Right-hander Jordan Lyles will get the nod for the visiting Bucs. Lyles is 5-5 with a 4.24 ERA and 78 strikeouts. He’s 1-1 with 17 strikeouts and a 6.30 ERA against Chicago this year (two starts).
The Cubs are putting the ball in the hands of lefty Jon Lester (8-6, 3.72 ERA), who’s got 93 strikeouts and 23 walks, along with a 1.31 WHIP. Lester is 0-0 with four strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Pittsburgh this year.
Chicago’s pitching staff has yielded 4.4 runs per game overall this season as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 3.98, a WHIP of 1.28 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.5. The bullpen has a 4.24 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 8.9 K/9. In 32 divisional games, Cubs starters have an ERA of 3.86 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.35.
Chicago’s offense has put up 5.0 runs per outing, including 4.9 per game against divisional foes and 5.4 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .260/.349/.515 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
The Cubs’ offense has been led by shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant. Baez is slashing .289/.324/.553 with 22 home runs, 62 RBIs and 59 runs scored, while Bryant is batting .297 with 18 homers, 45 RBIs and 68 runs.
In the other dugout, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff allowed 5.2 runs per game and its starters own a 4.87 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 8.43 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.96, along with a WHIP of 1.39 and a K-per-9 of 9.73.
Pirates hitters have slashed .270/.328/.435 on their way to 4.8 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.8 runs per game against divisional foes and 6.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Pittsburgh’s offensive production has been powered by first baseman Josh Bell and right fielder Starling Marte. Bell is slashing .298/.372/.640 with 27 home runs, 84 RBIs and 69 runs scored. Marte (.278/.320/.470) has produced 13 homers, 48 RBIs, 55 runs and 13 stolen bases.
The Pirates have lost 0.9 units and are 10-11 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in 14 of those games, compared to six that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Cubs have lost 1.9 units and are 37-36 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 37 of those games, compared to 32 that went under the total.
Pirates at Cubs Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Pittsburgh has recorded 16 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Chicago has 23 XBH over its last five.
- The Pirates have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games. The Cubs have hit 15 over their last 10.
- The Pirates have a total OPS of .763 this season and an OPS of .638 against left-handed pitchers. The Cubs’ OPS stands at .789 overall and .729 against southpaws.
- Pittsburgh has posted 27.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 26.4 over its last five.
- The Cubs have won three of their last four games SU.
