The Chicago Cubs (25-22) and Pittsburgh Pirates (18-29) play the second game of a three-game set Wednesday 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 Trevor Williams is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs. He is 2-2 with a 5.97 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, 10.0 K/9 and 4.8 BB/9 over 37 2/3 IP through 9 starts.
Williams allowed 2 solo home runs, 5 hits and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts across 4 2/3 innings; he took a no-decision in the Cubs’ 5-2 win over the Washington Nationals his last time out. This season he is 0-1 with an 8.59 ERA across two starts against the Pirates – his former organization.
RHP Wil Crowe is the projected starting pitcher for the Pirates. He is 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 8.4 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9 over 25 2/3 IP through 5 starts and 1 relief appearance.
Crowe coughed up 4 earned runs, 7 hits and 3 walks with a season-high 7 strikeouts across 5 innings earning no-decision at Atlanta last Thursday. His only quality start of the season came May 8 at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.
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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 7:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Cubs -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Pirates +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Against the spread/ATS: Cubs -1.5 (+125) | Pirates +1.5 (-150)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (Over -115 | Under -105)
Prediction
Cubs 6, Pirates 5
Money line (ML)
The CUBS (-135) are a nice play straight up behind Williams, the former Pirates pitcher. He has been roughed up in two outings against his old employer, but Crowe hasn’t exactly been on point, either. This has the makings of a wild one.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The PIRATES +1.5 (-150) aren’t terribly expensive in this middle game of the set. The Bucs came up short by a 4-3 score against the Cubbies in the opener, covering the run line. This could be another close battle with a couple of mediocre hurlers toeing the slab.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 8.5 (-115) is the lean here. The Under surprisingly connected in the series opener, but this battle between Williams and Crowe should see plenty of crooked numbers on the board.
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