Tag: Pirates Cubs betting odds lines picks best bets

The Pittsburgh Pirates (2-6) close out a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs (6-2) Sunday at Wrigley Field at 2:20 p.m. ET.  We analyze the Pirates-Cubs betting odds and lines, with MLB picks and best bets.

Pirates at Cubs: Projected starting pitchers

LHP Steven Brault vs. LHP Jon Lester

Brault registered a 5.16 ERA in 113 1/3 innings last season. He was weighed down by a WHIP of 1.50 or higher for a fourth straight season; Brault walked 4.2 batters per nine innings while allowing a .265 batting average.

• The Bucs port-sider went two innings (three base runners allowed, no runs) in his 2020 debut vs. the Milwaukee Brewers last Monday.
• Current Chicago batters own a robust 1.154 OPS (with more walks than strikeouts) against Brault.

Lester notched a 4.46 ERA over 31 starts (171 2/3 innings) a year ago. The veteran southpaw tossed five no-hit innings in his 2020 lid-lifter at the Cincinnati Reds last Monday).

• Lester went 3-0 with a 3.16 ERA in five starts against Pittsburgh in 2019. Current Pirates own an aggregate .674 OPS against him.
• Pittsburgh ranked 29th in MLB last season with a meager .681 OPS against lefty pitching. The 2020 Pirates have been solid against southpaws (.776 OPS) but in a very small sample.

Get some action on this game or any other matchup with an MLB bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

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

• 3B Kris Bryant (illness) probable
• 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 11:35 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML)

The Cubs are looking to sweep after winning Friday and Saturday. The Chicago offense profiles well against left-handers and certainly against Brault in particular. The Cubs lead the league with an .849 OPS overall, and bettors have logged double-digit return-on-investment figures in Lester home starts each of the last two years. CHICAGO (-200) is the play vs. Pittsburgh (-180).

New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on the Cubs pays out a profit of $5.

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

The run line makes the Cubs an even-money play. Back CHICAGO (-1.5, +100) along with moneyline play vs. Pittsburgh (+1.5, -121) in a hybrid approach to betting the Chicago side.

Over/Under (O/U)

The O/U is well-pegged with the prices above and below nine runs. PASS on any Over 8.5 (-121)/ Under 8.5 (+100) action.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates (2-5) continue what is a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs (5-2) as the NL Central foes tangle again Saturday night at 8:15 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field. We analyze the Pirates-Cubs betting odds and lines, with MLB picks and best bets.

Pirates at Cubs: Projected starting pitchers

RHP Mitch Keller vs. RHP Tyler Chatwood

Keller owns a 6.62 ERA over 12 career starts. The sophomore righty fanned 65 batters in 48 frames last season, and his 2019 campaign was muddied by a high average on balls in play and on at-bats with runners in scoring position.

• Keller was shaky against Chicago last season with a 1.197 OPS against.
• The 24-year-old Pirates pitcher walked three and punched out two, while allowing one run, in a five-frame season debut against the St. Louis Cardinals July 26.

Chatwood owns a 4.36 career ERA. He notched a 3.76 figure in a swingman role (33 relief appearances, five starts) a year ago. The 30-year-old right-hander is making his second start of the 2020 season. He struck out eight while allowing just one run in a six-inning stint against the Milwaukee Brewers July 26.

• Current Pirates batters own a strikeout-heavy .627 OPS against Chatwood. He allowed one run over 8 IP against Pittsburgh in 2019.
• Chatwood induces a high rate of ground balls (always a good thing at Wrigley), and the Pirates profile as a team prone to dips in production against such pitchers.

Get some action on this game or any other matchup with an MLB bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

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

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 1:30 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML)

Chicago won Friday’s series opener 6-3. The Cubs have now won four of their last five, and they’re getting it done with the bats. Chicago has scored six-plus runs in each of those last five contests.

Look for Chatwood and the Cubs to prevail again on Saturday. Given the injuries to a significant amount of the Pirates bullpen personnel, the CHICAGO -175 tag makes for a workable price.

New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on the Cubs pays out a profit of $5.70.

Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS on the run line of Cubs -1.5 (+110) in favor of the safer moneyline play.

Over/Under (O/U)

An early weather report calls for evening temperatures in the low-to-mid-70s and a light breeze blowing in – off Lake Michigan and in from center field. Add in the pitching skill levels out-pacing surface stats and the fact the Cubs’ recent hitting is fueled in part by a generous average on balls in play, and it all spells a lean toward the UNDER 9 (-110).

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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