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The Pittsburgh Pirates (70-80) open a 3-game series against the Chicago Cubs (78-72) on Tuesday at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Pirates vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cubs lead 9-1
The Pirates defeated the New York Yankees 3-2 Sunday to snap a 2-game losing streak. Pittsburgh is 5-5 in its last 10 games and is 8 games back of Chicago for the final NL Wild Card spot with 12 games remaining.
The Cubs lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-2 on Sunday, handing them their 5th consecutive loss. Chicago is currently tied with the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL Wild Card spot and is 6 games back of the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers in the division.
Pirates at Cubs projected starters
TBD vs. RHP Javier Assad
The Pirates starting pitcher is unannounced at the time of publication.
Assad (3-3, 3.10 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.25 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9 and 6.7 K/9 through 95 2/3 IP.
- Last start: No decision, 3 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 4 K in 6-4 road loss vs. Colorado Rockies last Tuesday
- 2023 home stats: 0-3, 3.71 ERA (51 IP, 21 ER) in 4 starts and 12 relief appearances
- Career vs. Pirates: 1-0, 3.27 ERA (11 IP, 4 ER) in 2 starts
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Pirates at Cubs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:02 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pirates +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Cubs -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates +1.5 (-160) | Cubs -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Pirates at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 6, Pirates 4
Moneyline
Even with Chicago struggling recently, I’ll back the CUBS (-150) at home against the Pirates. The Cubs have won 9 of the first 10 meetings against their division rivals this season.
Run line/Against the spread
CUBS -1.5 (+135) has fantastic value as it has yet to be announced who will start for the Pirates on the mound. The Cubs have won by at least 2 runs in 8 of their 9 wins against the Pirates this season.
Chicago is also 41-34 at home compared to Pittsburgh producing a 32-40 record on the road this season.
Over/Under
With Assad making another start for the Cubs, and the Pirates likely rolling out a mediocre pitcher on Tuesday, OVER 9 (-105) is the play in this contest. The Over is 7-3 in the first 10 meetings between these teams this season.
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