The Pirates and Cubs have become familiar partners over the years with Pittsburgh getting the short end of the stick the last two years. In four head-to-head series this year, the Pirates are just 3-9 against Chicago and are 11-20 against the Cubs since the start of last season.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
The Pirates are two games over .500 on the road, heading into Wrigley where the Cubs are 45-19 at home.
It’s been a streaky year for Pittsburgh, but they still remain in the postseason chase and well within reach of yet another wildcard game appearance. While they did get swept by Miami and lose two of three from Houston a week ago, but they got back on pace with a four game series sweep of the Brewers.
Over a larger period, the Pirates are 15-10 in August and are 29-20 since the beginning of July.
The Cubs, meanwhile, make the Pirates recent strong stretch look like nothing. The team with baseball’s best winning percentage has 20 wins in its last 25 games.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Kyle Hendricks continues to lead the National League in ERA at 2.19 and ERA+ at 184. The 26-year old right-hander is 12-7 on the year with a 1.000 WHIP with the opposition hitting just .207 against him with a meager .590 OPS.
While many are skeptical if the youngster can maintain this pace, to this point, Hendricks is getting stronger. He’s recorded five straight quality starts here in August and hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any start since May 17.
Since the start of July, Hendricks is 6-1 with a 1.36 ERA in 60 2/3 innings. Things get even worse for the Pirates when you consider Hendricks is 8-1 with a 1.31 ERA in 13 games at home.
One thing on Pittsburgh’s side is his career 5.40 ERA against them in five starts. This year, he faced the Pirates once. He’s allowed a single run in six innings.
While the Cubs are turning to a 26-year old having a career year, the Pirates will send a rookie 23-year old to mound.
The right-hander Chad Kuhl has made eight starts for the Pirates, going 3-1 with a 3.50 ERA and 1.168 WHIP in 43 2/3 innings. With five straight quality starts, Kuhl has been quite the surprise himself. Nevertheless, his only start against the Cubs wasn’t as successful.
In the third start of his career, Kuhl faced Chicago and failed to get on of the third inning, allowing four runs on seven hits. He’s thrown the ball a lot better since then.
LIVE BETTING
The Cubs were held scoreless in a 1-0 loss on Sunday. The loss shows that the Cubs’ offense isn’t unbeatable.
While the shutout was discouraging, this is still a team with three hitters having at least 84 RBIs and two legitimate MVP candidates in Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant; both have an OPS north of .950.
What makes the Cubs’ roster so unique is the versatility. Bryant, Ben Zobrist and Javier Baez have all played multiple positions and played them well. That allows manager Joe Maddon the opportunity to play matchups.
The Pirates also have a versatile lineup with a couple strong bench bats.
The team had been coasting without their superstar centerfielder playing up to snuff, but ever since given a chance to step away for a few games, Andrew McCutchen has returned to his old self. Heading into Sunday, he was hitting .311 with a .920 OPS in August.
QUICK PICK
It’s hard to bet against the Cubs at home, particularly when they have Hendricks on the mound.
This team continues to look like a team of destiny, winning the blow out games, the one run affairs and everything in between.
Look for the Cubs to get a sizeable win in this game. Kuhl, however, should pitch better than his last time against Chicago so keep an eye on the total. This game has a good shot of going under given the recent trends with these two hurlers.
Both teams have the bullpens to shut down the opposition in the late innings so this game should be won, or lost, in the first six innings.
MLB Odds: Cubs 5, Pirates 2
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