Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Wednesday’s Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Chicago Cubs (25-22) and Pittsburgh Pirates (18-29) play the second game of a three-game set Wednesday at PNC Park with a 6:35 p.m. ET first pitch. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cubs vs. Pirates odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Trevor Williams is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs. He is 2-2 with a 5.97 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, 10.0 K/9 and 4.8 BB/9 over 37 2/3 IP through 9 starts.

Williams allowed 2 solo home runs, 5 hits and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts across 4 2/3 innings; he took a no-decision in the Cubs’ 5-2 win over the Washington Nationals his last time out. This season he is 0-1 with an 8.59 ERA across two starts against the Pirates – his former organization.

RHP Wil Crowe is the projected starting pitcher for the Pirates. He is 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 8.4 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9 over 25 2/3 IP through 5 starts and 1 relief appearance.

Crowe coughed up 4 earned runs, 7 hits and 3 walks with a season-high 7 strikeouts across 5 innings earning no-decision at Atlanta last Thursday. His only quality start of the season came May 8 at Wrigley Field against the Cubs.

MLB betting offers/promotions

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Cubs at Pirates odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:15 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Cubs -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Pirates +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Cubs -1.5 (+125) | Pirates +1.5 (-150)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (Over -115 | Under -105)

Prediction

Cubs 6, Pirates 5

Money line (ML)

The CUBS (-135) are a nice play straight up behind Williams, the former Pirates pitcher. He has been roughed up in two outings against his old employer, but Crowe hasn’t exactly been on point, either. This has the makings of a wild one.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

The PIRATES +1.5 (-150) aren’t terribly expensive in this middle game of the set. The Bucs came up short by a 4-3 score against the Cubbies in the opener, covering the run line. This could be another close battle with a couple of mediocre hurlers toeing the slab.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 8.5 (-115) is the lean here. The Under surprisingly connected in the series opener, but this battle between Williams and Crowe should see plenty of crooked numbers on the board.

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Joe Williams on Twitter. 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. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Tuesday’s Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Chicago Cubs (24-22) and Pittsburgh Pirates (18-28) play the first game of a three-game set Tuesday at PNC Park with a 6:35 p.m. ET first pitch. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cubs vs. Pirates odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Jake Arrieta is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs. He is 4-4 with a 4.46 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 6.6 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 over 42 1/3 IP through 8 starts.

Arrieta has lost three of his past four outings, including giving up 4 runs, 7 hits and 2 walks over 5 innings in a loss at home against the Washington Nationals his last time out. He has two wins and quality starts against the Pirates this season from April 3-8.

RHP Cody Ponce is the projected starting pitcher for the Pirates. He was 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 6.4 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 over 17 IP through 3 starts and 2 relief appearances in 2020.

Ponce has posted a 5.40 ERA across 11 2/3 innings across 2 starts and 1 relief appearance with Triple-A Indianapolis this season, walking 4 and striking out 11.

MLB betting offers/promotions

BetMGM Sportsbook offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

  • Bet just $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a home run during the game. Bet now!
  • RISK-FREE FIRST BET. Place your first bet, if it loses you’ll get up to $600 in free bets. Bet now!

Cubs at Pirates odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Cubs -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Pirates +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Cubs -1.5 (+110) | Pirates +1.5 (-135)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (Over -120 | Under +100)

Prediction

Cubs 9, Pirates 2

Money line (ML)

The Cubs (-150) are a little on the expensive side, especially on the road with a starting pitcher who has been rather erratic. Even so, I expect the Cubs to win but they’re a more attractive play on the run line.

PASS.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

The CUBS -1.5 (+110) took two of three on the road against the rival Cardinals, serving as a springboard into this series against the lowly Pirates +1.5 (-135).

If you like Chicago to win, and you should, they’re a much better play on the run line. Six of its past seven victories have been by two or more runs, so there’s a much better value at this price.

Surprisingly, the Cubs are just 5-4 against the Pirates this season, but the Bucs are playing their worst baseball of the season. They have lost six of the past seven, including a three-game sweep in Atlanta which saw them get outscored 33-3.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 8.5 (-120) is the play, mainly because of the struggles of the Pirates pitching staff lately. In fact, Chicago could take care of the Over without any help from the sticks of the Bucs.

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Joe Williams on Twitter. 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. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

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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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Joe Williams on Twitter. 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. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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