With both the Pirates and Cubs having all but wrapped up the NL Wild Card slots, tonight’s matchup is another de facto playoff game for which of these squads will host the do-or-die play-in game later this month.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Cubs have held the upper hand in their 2015 rivalry with the Buccos in winning seven of the 12 overall meetings. The teams most recently split a pair at Wrigley in early August, and each has secured three wins a piece the six times they locked horns at PNC.
Chicago has been a winning investment on the road in winning 39 of 71 for a $590 return on investment, but the Pirates have thrived in their home digs in going 49-22 and reeling in a healthy $1793 worth of profit.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Since the calendar turned to July, Jake Arrieta has been nearly unbeatable. Since that point, the Cubs’ staff ace has gone 12-1 with only one no decision and sprinkled in his first career no hitter.
Each of his last 16 starts have been of quality, and he’s been nothing short of an innings eater of late in going at least eight innings in his last three starts. Lifetime against the Buccos, Arrieta checks in 5-1 with a 2.05 ERA and .195 BAA. He’s yet to be defeated at PNC in four career starts.
Veteran A.J. Burnett will get the starting nod for the home team in this one. He only just returned to Pittsburgh’s starting rotation after a six week absence, and was hardly effective in lasting just five innings and surrendering 3 hits – 1 HR – and 3 ER through just five innings of work.
He’s been pretty successful lifetime against Chicago in going 8-4 with a 2.91 ERA and an 82:35 K/BB ratio, but it remains to be seen if Clint Hurdle will allow for him to go deep in this one in hopes of building up his arm strength for a postseason run.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Almost robotic," Cubs broadcaster Jim Deshaies said during Friday's telecast of the Cubs' 5-1 win.
Arrieta logged win No. 19 last time out at Philly, lowered his ERA to 1.99 and also notched his 200th strikeout. The guy has been unreal and has certainly thrown his hat into the NL Cy Young mix.
LIVE/SITUATIONAL BETTING
Jake’s surrendered just one run in the 1st through 5th innings in his last three starts. He shut the Pirates out through seven with 5 Ks the last time he faced them at PNC.
With Burnett also having solid career numbers against the Cubs and already shutting them out once this season through seven innings, a solid first five innings position on the under certainly looks attractive; especially with him likely allowed to go five maybe six innings overall.
PROP TALK
Arrieta has logged 30 Ks and only given up 24 hits against the Pirates current batting order. Only Andrew McCutchen – no surprise – has had success in going 8-for-18 with only two of those hits going for extra bases.
Should you want to fade Jake in this one, Cutch is your guy. You’re better off seeking out a strikeout total instead and hit the over.
For the Cubs, Anthony Rizzo and Miguel Montero have gotten to Burnett with the former going yard twice and the latter collecting five hits in nine at-bats.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Both teams will enter this one a bit fatigued after partaking in a double dip on Tuesday. That only gives Jake even more of an advantage against a Pittsburgh batting order he’s dominated in the past.
If asked to choose between which starting pitcher goes deeper, I can’t help but think it’ll be the one toeing the bump for the visitors. Arrieta has his sights set on bumping Greinke from the NL Cy Young perch, and if he continues to deal like he has of late and leads his club to a crucial win against a team they’re chasing in the standings, he could do just that.
Chicago 5 Pittsburgh 2
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this nationally-televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2015, at 7:05 p.m. ET at PNC Park. The game will be televised live on ESPN.
