The Chicago Cubs (33-38) begin a 3-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates (34-36) on Monday at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cubs lead 3-0
The Cubs lost 6-3 to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, which ended a 5-game winning streak. Chicago is only 4 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers for the lead in the NL Central.
The Pirates were defeated by the Brewers 5-2 on Sunday, extending their losing streak to 6 games. After beginning last week in 1st place in the NL Central, Pittsburgh is now in 3rd place, 2 1/2 games behind Milwaukee.
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Cubs at Pirates projected starters
LHP Drew Smyly vs. RHP Osvaldo Bido
Smyly (6-4, 3.59 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.20 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 7.5 K/9 in 77 2/3 innings.
- Has allowed 3 ER or more in 3 of his last 4 starts
- June 14 vs. Pirates: Win, 6 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Bido (0-0, 2.25 ERA) makes his 2nd career start, both against the Cubs. He has a 1.75 WHIP, 6.8 BB/9 and 13.5 K/9 in 4 innings.
- June 14 vs. Cubs: 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
- Was 3-4 with a 4.55 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 4.2 BB/9, and 9.1 K/9 in 10 starts in Triple-A before being called up
Cubs at Pirates odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:21 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cubs -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Pirates +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+135) | Pirates +1.5 (-160)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Cubs at Pirates picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 6, Pirates 4
Moneyline
Even though Smyly has sputtered in recent starts, I’ll back the CUBS (-125) on the road in Monday’s NL Central matchup. Chicago is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings, including 4 consecutive wins against Pittsburgh.
Run line/Against the spread
CUBS -1.5 (+135) has solid value with how these teams have performed lately. The Cubs have defeated the Pirates by at least 4 runs in each of the 1st 3 meetings this season, and Bido is only making his 2nd career start.
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Over/Under
LEAN OVER 9 (-105).
The Cubs recently got OF Cody Bellinger back in the lineup and OF Mike Tauchman has provided solid production in recent games. Smyly surrendered 5 ER to the Pirates on June 14 and Pittsburgh is tied for the 9th-best wRC+ (111) against left-handed pitching in June.
The Over is also 4-0 in the last 4 meetings overall.
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