After clinching a playoff berth on Tuesday night despite their loss, the Chicago Cubs (32-23) will once again face the Pittsburgh Pirates (16-39) on Wednesday night. First pitch from PNC Park is set for 7:05 p.m. ET. We analyze the Cubs-Pirates betting odds and lines, with MLB picks and best bets.
Cubs at Pirates: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Kyle Hendricks vs. RHP Trevor Williams
Hendricks has been a stud again this year, going 6-4 with a 2.93 ERA thus far.
- In four starts this month, Hendricks has a stellar 1.21 ERA with 27 strikeouts.
- Hendricks is 6-7 with a 3.08 ERA in 18 career starts against the Pirates.
Williams has just one win in 10 starts this season, going 1-8 with a 6.70 ERA.
- Williams has really struggled in his last five starts, allowing 11 home runs with a 9.59 ERA.
- The Pirates are 1-9 in his starts this year, with their only win coming on Aug. 13 against the Reds.
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Cubs at Pirates: Key injuries
Get the latest injury news here.
Cubs
- 3B Kris Bryant (oblique) questionable
- 2B Ildemaro Vargas (hamstring) out
Pirates
- OF Anthony Alford (elbow) out
- SS Cole Tucker (concussion) out
- RP Keone Kela (forearm) out
- CF Jason Martin (back) out
Cubs at Pirates: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Cubs 5, Pirates 2
Moneyline (ML)
The Cubs are once again heavily favored over the Pirates despite dropping Tuesday night’s matchup. Chicago has already locked up a playoff berth but it wants to keep the momentum heading into the postseason.
And with Williams pitching on the other side, the Cubs shouldn’t have much trouble putting up enough runs to win this game. Take the CUBS (-223) to win this one straight-up.
New to sports betting? A $22.30 bet on the Cubs to win returns a profit of $10.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
BetMGM’s recommended spread has the Cubs favored by 1.5 runs on Wednesday night, which carries a line of -139. This is certainly a game they should win, especially given the pitching matchup tonight.
Take the CUBS -1.5 (-139) to cover the 1.5-run spread and win by a couple.
Over/Under (O/U)
The Over/Under remains lower at only 8.5 runs. The total has gone under in six of the Cubs’ last seven road games and in five of their last six games overall. Pittsburgh’s games have also been going under more often than not, with six of its last nine doing so.
Take the UNDER 8.5 (-110), even with Williams on the bump for the Pirates. Hendricks will keep Pittsburgh’s offense in check to negate the difference in the Pirates’ poor pitching.
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