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The Pittsburgh Pirates (64-73) and Chicago Cubs (71-67) play the middle contest of a 3-game series Tuesday. First pitch from Wrigley Field is set for 7:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Pirates vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cubs lead 6-5
The Pirates were blown out in a 3-game series sweep loss at home by the Cubs Aug. 26-28, as Chicago outscored Pittsburgh 41-23 in a wild series. Pittsburgh rebounded nicely with a 5-3 win in the series opener at Wrigley Field on Monday, cashing as a moderate underdog (+130) as the Over (7.5) just came through.
The Cubs had a 6-game win streak snapped, and they scored under 5 runs for just the 2nd time in the past 11 games. The Over is on a 10-1-1 run for Chicago, and the total has ended up going high in 3 in a row in the Friendly Confines.
Pirates at Cubs projected starters
RHP Paul Skenes vs. RHP Kyle Hendricks
Skenes (8-2, 2.23 ERA) makes his 19th start. He has a 0.95 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 11.2 K/9 in 109 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 5 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 14-10 home loss vs. Cubs last Wednesday
- 2024 road splits: 3-1, 1.66 ERA (43 1/3 IP, 8 ER), 0.78 WHIP, .168 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 9 BB, 62 K in 7 starts
- 2024/Career vs. Cubs: 1-0, 3.00 ERA (15 IP, 5 ER), 1 HR, 2 BB, 15 K in 3 starts
Hendricks (3-10, 6.75 ERA) makes his 20th start and 25th appearance. He has a 1.53 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 in 102 2/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 1 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 8 H (1 HR), 3 BB, 2 K in 14-10 home victory vs. Pirates last Wednesday
- 2024 home splits: 1-5, 5.32 ERA (45 2/3 IP, 27 ER), 1.42 WHIP, .288 OBA, 22 BB, 36 K in 11 appearances (8 starts)
- Career vs. Pirates: 9-14, 4.09 ERA (171 2/3 IP, 78 ER), 1.30 WHIP, 6.7 K/9 in 32 starts
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Pirates at Cubs odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:23 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pirates -132 (bet $132 to win $100) | Cubs +112 (bet $100 to win $112)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates -1.5 (+136) | Cubs +1.5 (-164)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: +100 | U: -122)
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Pirates at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Pirates 6, Cubs 2
Moneyline
The PIRATES (-132) probably owe Skenes a victory. He left Wednesday’s start with a 10-3 lead, but the bullpen absolutely imploded. The collapse sent Skenes’ girlfriend Livvy Dunne, the LSU gymnast, to social media to complain about managed Derek Shelton, and apparently, the bullpen.
While the Bucs aren’t likely to play extra harder for her, they do owe the rookie All-Star. While he has been lights out, somehow, Pittsburgh is just 5-6 across his past 11 starts. The Bucs should have won last time against the Cubs, though. They’ll get the W here, especially against an atrocious Hendricks.
Run line/Against the spread
If you’re a little more on the adventurous side, playing PIRATES -1.5 (+136) is the way to go.
While Pittsburgh has just 11 wins in 32 games since July 29, it has won by 2 or more runs 9 times. So, if you like the Bucs to win, you should like them to cover the run line, too.
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Over/Under
OVER 7 (-110) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at best.
The Over has been on fire for the Cubs lately, going 10-1-1 in the past 12 outings, while cashing at a 4-1 clip in the past 5 starts by Hendricks.
For Skenes, the Over is surprisingly 2-0-1 in the past 3 starts by the rookie righty. And, the Over has connected at a 7-3-1 clip in the past 11 games for the Pirates.
Wind shouldn’t be an issue, blowing right to left at a 9-11 mph clip, so we’ll call it neutral at Wrigley Field.
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