National League Central Division rivals meet in the second of a three-game set when the Chicago Cubs pay a visit to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Chicago won six of the first 10 games in the season series and has won nine of 11 starts made by Jake Arrieta on the road. The Pirates, meanwhile, are at their best when playing at home.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Cubs moved to 30-23 on the road after sweeping Milwaukee in a four-game series over the weekend and have been a boon to betters going 8-2 in their last 10 away from Wrigley Field up 4.75 units. Overall the Cubs are in the black 7.15 units on the road and send their secret weapon to the hill. Chicago is 9-0 in road starts made by Jake Arrieta when he’s not pitching in St. Louis – the team lost twice to the Cardinals – and they score 5.36 runs a game with him throwing. The Pirates return home after splitting four games in Cincinnati over the weekend to wrap up a 4-2 road trip and a stretch of 12 of 16 on the road after the All-Star break. The Bucs won 11 of 13 at PNC Park and are an impressive 35-17 there for the season, up 11.24 units on the moneyline.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Jake Arrieta (11-6, 2.62 ERA) allowed two runs on five hits in six innings getting a no-decision Thursday at Milwaukee. He struggled with command yielding three walks for a third straight start, yet lasted long enough to post his 17th quality start. He has a 1.53 ERA over his last eight outings with 58 strikeouts over 58.2 innings and has been deadly on the road going 7-1 with a 2.21 ERA.
Arrieta was brilliant in a 5-2 win at Pittsburgh on Apr. 20 giving up just four hits and a run with seven strikeouts and no walks. He’s 2-0 with a 3.71 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in three career starts at PNC Park.
J.A. Happ (4-6, 4.64 ERA) makes his Pittsburgh debut by stepping into the shoes of A.J. Burnett, who went on the disabled list with elbow inflammation. Happ slumped his way out of Seattle and will try to regain his early season form when he posted a 3.31 ERA over his first 11 starts. He totaled five innings in his final two starts with Seattle and the team lost 10 of his last 11 starts.
Happ has a history with the Cubs and it’s not good. In four starts he’s 1-2 with a 5.57 ERA over just 21 innings.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“The hardest thing about the game is being consistent. I’ve had a few tough outings the last couple of weeks, and for me, a fresh start will be a good thing. I have a lot of confidence in myself, I know what I’m capable of, and I feel healthy – so I’m anxious to get out there and prove that.” – Newly acquired Pirates pitcher J.A. Happ
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
Cubs’ rookie second baseman Addison Russell is trying not to think about baseball as much. The approach is paying off. Russell smacked a solo home run Sunday in Chicago’s 4-3 win at Milwaukee to complete a four-game sweep and is hitting .286 since the All-Star break. It wasn’t just the time off that seems to have helped but some adjustments with hitting coach John Mallee are working as well. Russell changed his stance and approach at the plate to become more efficient. “He’s getting to fastballs much better. I think he’s making better decisions at the plate,” manager Joe Maddon said of Russell, who is batting .237 overall. The infielder got off to a rough start when promoted from Triple-A in April, but he’s feeling better after sessions with Mallee and the break.
PROP TALK
After a prolonged power drought that saw him hit just one home run in 31 games, Anthony Rizzo connected in four straight before going homerless on Sunday. Rizzo went 7 for 15 with three homers, eight RBIs and four runs scored in the Cubs sweep of Milwaukee over the weekend and appears to have his stroke back. Rizzo has been stellar against the Pirates this season. He’s hitting .405/.511/.541 with one home run and five RBIs in 37 at-bats against Pittsburgh and hits .330 off left-handers. His only hit in three career at-bats against Happ was a two-run home run.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Pirates’ pitching coach Ray Searage has been called a miracle worker with the job he’s done transforming hurlers that make their way through Pittsburgh’s clubhouse. He’ll definitely have his work cut out for him with the team’s newest acquisition. The sudden decline of J.A. Happ has been alarming and the Mariners gave up on the veteran lefty, shipping him to the Bucs. Searage may have another notch on his belt by the time he’s done with Happ, but a few days is hardly enough to fix the problems that have plagued him. And facing Jake Arrieta, who’s been the Cubs ace all season, isn’t going to help.
Chicago 5, Pittsburgh 2
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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 Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at 7:05 p.m. ET at PNC Park. The game will be televised live on WGN and ROOT Sports.
