The Pittsburgh Pirates meet the Chicago Cubs in their 2021 season opener Thursday at 2:20 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Pirates vs. Cubs odds with MLB picks and predictions.
RHP Chad Kuhl is the projected starter pitcher for the Pirates. He was 2-3 with a 4.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 8.55 K/9 and 5.44 BB/9 over 46 1/3 IP across nine starts and two relief appearances in 2020. Last season, Kuhl went 1-0 with a 2.92 ERA and .217 opponent batting average across 12 1/3 innings in two starts and one relief appearance against the Cubs.
RHP Kyle Hendricks is the projected starter pitcher for the Pirates. He was 6-5 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 7.08 K/9 and 0.89 BB/9 over 81 1/3 IP spanning 12 starts in 2020. He was 1-1 against the Pirates but posted a stellar 1.98 ERA with 9 strikeouts across 13 2/3 innings in his two starts last season.
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Pirates at Cubs odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:55 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Pirates +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Cubs -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Pirates +1.5 (-115) | Cubs -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under: 7 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Prediction
Cubs 4, Pirates 2
Money line (ML)
The Cubs (-200) are a little too rich for my liking, especially in an opener, as I would like to get a little sample size first.
Yes, there is a pitching disparity here, and Chicago is on its home field, but I’ll look to the spread instead.
PASS.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Playing the CUBS -1.5 (-105) is a much better value. Hendricks is a polished pitcher who should be able to have his way with the young Pirates. In three home games last season, Chicago swept Pittsburgh while outscoring them 12-7, for a margin of 1.67 runs per game.
The Cubs are 79-64-2 all-time Opening Day, good for a .552 winning percentage. That’s fifth-best among all active franchises.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 7 (-110) is the lean here. There will be a cold north wind blowing from 14-16 mph, knocking down balls that would normally be ticketed for the left-field bleachers. Look for more singles than home runs in the Friendly Confines Thursday.
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