The Chicago Cubs (24-22) and Pittsburgh Pirates (18-28) play the first game of a three-game set Tuesday at PNC Park with a 6:35 p.m. ET first pitch. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cubs vs. Pirates odds with MLB picks and predictions.
RHP Jake Arrieta is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs. He is 4-4 with a 4.46 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 6.6 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 over 42 1/3 IP through 8 starts.
Arrieta has lost three of his past four outings, including giving up 4 runs, 7 hits and 2 walks over 5 innings in a loss at home against the Washington Nationals his last time out. He has two wins and quality starts against the Pirates this season from April 3-8.
RHP Cody Ponce is the projected starting pitcher for the Pirates. He was 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 6.4 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 over 17 IP through 3 starts and 2 relief appearances in 2020.
Ponce has posted a 5.40 ERA across 11 2/3 innings across 2 starts and 1 relief appearance with Triple-A Indianapolis this season, walking 4 and striking out 11.
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Cubs at Pirates odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Cubs -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Pirates +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread/ATS: Cubs -1.5 (+110) | Pirates +1.5 (-135)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (Over -120 | Under +100)
Prediction
Cubs 9, Pirates 2
Money line (ML)
The Cubs (-150) are a little on the expensive side, especially on the road with a starting pitcher who has been rather erratic. Even so, I expect the Cubs to win but they’re a more attractive play on the run line.
PASS.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The CUBS -1.5 (+110) took two of three on the road against the rival Cardinals, serving as a springboard into this series against the lowly Pirates +1.5 (-135).
If you like Chicago to win, and you should, they’re a much better play on the run line. Six of its past seven victories have been by two or more runs, so there’s a much better value at this price.
Surprisingly, the Cubs are just 5-4 against the Pirates this season, but the Bucs are playing their worst baseball of the season. They have lost six of the past seven, including a three-game sweep in Atlanta which saw them get outscored 33-3.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 8.5 (-120) is the play, mainly because of the struggles of the Pirates pitching staff lately. In fact, Chicago could take care of the Over without any help from the sticks of the Bucs.
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