The Pittsburgh Pirates (2-4) and Chicago Cubs (4-2) open a three-game series at Wrigley Field on Friday at 8:15 p.m. ET. We analyze the Pirates-Cubs’ MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Thursday: The Pirates were off after losing two of three at home to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs were rained out in Cincinnati — they lost Wednesday after taking the first two in the series.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Trevor Williams vs. RHP Yu Darvish
Williams (0-1, 7.36 ERA) allowed 3 runs on 5 hits and 1 walk in 3 2/3 innings of a 9-1 loss at the St. Louis Cardinals last Saturday.
- 2019: 7-9, 5.38 ERA in 26 starts
- 2019 vs. Cubs: 1-2, 13.50 ERA (20 ER, 13 1/3) in 3 starts
- Career vs. Cubs: 3-6, 6.30 ERA (35 ER, 50 IP) in 9 starts and 2 relief appearances
Darvish (0-1, 6.75 ERA) yielded 3 runs on 6 hits in 4 innings — with 5 K’s and no walks — of an 8-3 home loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.
- 2019: 6-8, 3.98 ERA in 31 starts
- 2019 vs. Pirates: 0-1, 4.00 ERA (8 ER, 18 IP) in 3 starts, but with an 0.83 WHIP
- Career vs. Pirates: 1-2, 3.00 ERA (10 ER, 30 IP) in 5 starts
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Pirates at Cubs: Key injuries
(List of injuries around the league)
Pirates
- RP Kyle Crick (shoulder) out
- RP Clay Holmes (forearm) out
- RP Keone Kela (COVID-19) out
- SS JT Riddle (abdominal) out
Cubs
- RP Brad Wieck (hamstring) out
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
Pirates at Cubs: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 12:20 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Cubs 9, Pirates 4
Moneyline (ML)
The CUBS (-223) are big favorites vs. the Pirates (+195), and with good reason. The “Friendly Confines” of Wrigley Field have not been kind to Williams. The Bucs starter is 2-5 with a 7.62 ERA in seven career outings, including six starts, at Wrigley Field. He’s allowed 24 earned runs, including seven home runs, in 28 1/3 innings in those contests. However, I can’t justify suggesting a -223 bet – where every $2.23 wagered on the Cubs moneyline will only profit $1 if they win. PASS and FOCUS on the RUN LINE.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The CUBS (-1.5, -110) are the play. Keep in mind, they have to win by two runs or more. The Pirates are (+1.5, -110).
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 8.5 (-115) is the STRONGEST PLAY. While Williams has struggled at Wrigley in his career, Darvish hasn’t fared well there either. He was 2-5 with a 4.96 ERA in 15 home starts last season, along with serving up 19 of his NL-leading 33 homers.
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| Johnny’s 2020 MLB record | 8-5 |
| 2020 overall record | 42-29-1 |
| Strongest plays | 24-12 |
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