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Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates odds, picks and prediction

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

The Chicago Cubs (4-3) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1-6) continue their weekend series at PNC Park with a 6:35 p.m. ET tilt Saturday. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cubs vs. Pirates odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Zach Davies is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs. Last year, Davies went 7-4 with a 2.73 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, and 2.5 BB/9 in 69 1/3 IP over 12 starts. He allowed two runs to these Pirates in a 5-2/3-inning start against Pittsburgh on April 4. Pittsburgh bats own a .705 OPS, .136 isolated power against the veteran righty. The Pirates have a left-leaning lineup, but Davies handles opposite-hand bats better than most right-handed starters.

RHP Mitch Keller is expected to start for the Pirates. Keller made five starts in 2020, going 1-1 with a 2.91 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 6.7 K/9, and 7.5 BB/9 in 21 2/3 IP. Chicago drew four walks and smacked a home run against Keller in collecting three runs in three innings April 4.

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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 9:40 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Cubs -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Pirates +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Cubs -1.5 (-105) |  Pirates +1.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Prediction

Cubs 4, Pirates 3

Money line (ML)

The Cubs took Thursday’s series opener, 4-2 (Friday was a built-in off day after what marked Pittsburgh’s home opener). The Pirates played Chicago tough a year ago, losing six of 10 games and being outscored by just four runs (38-34) along the way.

Keller exhibited solid velocity in his debut. He’s yielded an .868 OPS over his career but a mere .702 figure in home games.

The Pirates are a lean in this one; consider holding out for a Pittsburgh +140 tag.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Better relative value on the home lean here can be found with the PIRATES +1.5 (-115) action. The game has a wind-in Under lean with two rested bullpens at the ready.

Over/Under (O/U)

The bullpens figure into this call, but there is perhaps too much early season static to overcome. Chicago’s pen has been outstanding (2.39 ERA, 2.87 expected ERA). Cubs relievers have fanned 13.3 batters per nine. Pittsburgh’s pen has been better than its 6.67 surface ERA. The Bucs have been undone by a high rate of fly balls and those fly balls leaving the yard.

A 13-mile-an-hour breeze, in from right field, is in the weather forecast, and that makes the Under a lean. Consider a partial-unit play on the UNDER 8.5 (-105) or holding out for a 9 for better leverage.

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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.

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

The Chicago Cubs (3-3) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1-5) open a three-game series at PNC Park with a 1:35 p.m. ET tilt Thursday. 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. Last year with the Philadelphia Phillies, Arrieta went 4-4 with a 5.08 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 6.5 K/9, and 3.2 BB/9 in 44 1/3 IP over nine starts. The veteran righty opened his 2020 season with a win over these Pirates while allowing just one run across 6 IP.

LHP Tyler Anderson is the projected starter for the Pirates. With the San Francisco Giants in 2020, he went 4-3 with a 4.37 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, and 3.8 BB/9 in 59 2/3 IP over 11 starts and two relief appearances. Anderson faced the Cubs at Wrigley Field Saturday; he allowed 3 ER on 5 hits and a pair of walks over 5 frames.

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 7:30 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Cubs -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Pirates +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Cubs -1.5 (+110) |  Pirates +1.5 (-135)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Prediction

Cubs 4, Pirates 3

Money line (ML)

The Cubs figure to struggle against southpaws after logging an anemic .619 OPS against lefties in 2020.

Arrieta — who didn’t miss many bats while being dinged by some hard contact in his season debut — is a right-hander who struggles more than most against batters of the opposite hand (lefty bats cracked him for a .873 OPS in 2020 and a .931 figure in 2019).

Anderson registered a swinging-strike rate of 24.2% in his first start. The Pirates lefty is a fly-ball type who will benefit from a pitcher’s breeze which is in the Steel City forecast for Thursday afternoon.

A tag closer to +130 would be appreciated, but PITTSBURGH (+120) is a workable play.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

This game has some Under lean. There is some merit to a PIRATES +1.5 (-135) wager but perhaps only as an undercard insurance play with the higher-profit action on top.

Over/Under (O/U)

Both teams come in struggling on offense (Pittsburgh .638 OPS, Chicago .581 OPS) and the Under has gone 5-1 in the Cubs’ first six games.

The better parts of both bullpens are well-rested coming into this Thursday matinee which will be followed by an off day. With that off-day pending and with both sides having looked at these starters just last week, figure this one being in the hands of both bullpens early. Both relief units have been good in the early going.

On a dry afternoon with an inward wind of double-digit (miles per hour) strength, PEG SOME VALUE ON THE UNDER 8.5 (-115).

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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.

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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 Cincinnati Reds odds, picks and prediction

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

The Pittsburgh Pirates (1-3) and Cincinnati Reds (3-1) play the second of a three-game set Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. ET at the Great American Ball Park. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Pirates vs. Reds odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Trevor Cahill is the projected starting pitcher for the Pirates. He was 1-2 with a 3.24 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 11.2 K/9 and 5.0 BB/9 in 25 IP across six starts and five relief appearances in 2020 with the San Francisco Giants. He hasn’t faced the Reds since June 26, 2019, when he allowed two hits and a walk in two scoreless innings of relief as a member of the Los Angeles Angels.

LHP Wade Miley is the projected starting pitcher for the Reds. He was 0-3 with a 5.65 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 7.5 K/9 and 5.7 BB/9 in 14 1/3 IP in four starts and two relief appearances last season. He hasn’t faced the Pirates since Sept. 23, 2018, when he was a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. He was 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA and .305 opponent batting average in 14 innings across three starts against the Pirates in 2018.

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!
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Pirates at Reds odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:40 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Pirates +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Reds -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Pirates +1.5 (-145) | Reds -1.5 (+120)
  • Over/Under: 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Prediction

Reds 6, Pirates 2

Money line (ML)

The REDS (-155) are moderate favorites here behind their fifth starter Miley, but they’re a good play. The Pirates (+125) haven’t faced a southpaw yet this season, and they might not be looking forward to their first try in 2021. Also, their best hitter, 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (wrist) landed on the injured list. The Bucs are just 16-35 across the past 51 games against a left-handed starting pitcher.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

The REDS -1.5 (+120) are worth a roll of the dice on the run line. They have won three straight hitting the run line in each. It was a close shave on Monday, though, as the Reds needed some late-inning heroics against the Pirates +1.5 (-145) bullpen to push bettors across the line.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 9 (-115) is a great play. Yes, Cincinnati has hit the Over in three of its four games to date, but the Under cashed in the series opener with Pittsburgh.

The Pirates are struggling to put up runs, averaging just 3.0 runs per game, and they have played just seven runs over the past three outings since their lone win, a 5-3 opener at Chicago Cubs.

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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.

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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 Cincinnati Reds odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Monday’s Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Pittsburgh Pirates (1-2) and Cincinnati Reds (2-1) meet Monday evening at 6:40 p.m. ET to open a three-game NL Central set at Great American Ball Park. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Pirates vs. Reds odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP JT Brubaker draws this start for the Pirates. In 2020, he went 1-3 with a 4.94 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 9.1 K/9, and 3.2 BB/9 in 47 1/3 IP over 11 appearances. He was dinged up by hard contact in Grapefruit League action.

RHP Jose De Leon is the projected starting pitcher for the Reds. He went 0-0 with an 18.00 ERA, 2.83 WHIP, 15.0 K/9, and 16.5 BB/9 in 6 IP over five relief appearances in 2020. The 28-year-old is in the Reds’ rotation due to an injury to RHP Sonny Gray (back). He has a history of wildness, and registered a bout with gopher-itis in the spring (5 home runs allowed).

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Pirates at Reds odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 1:35 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Pirates +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Reds -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Pirates +1.5 (-155) | Reds -1.5 (+125)
  • Over/Under: 9 (O: -120 | U: +100)

Prediction

Reds 6, Pirates 4

Money line (ML)

Going by preseason win totals, you would have to be really down on De Leon not to like the Reds at this price. Preseason win totals had Cincinnati at 81.5 and Pittsburgh at 59.5. Last season, the Reds bludgeoned the Pirates, 46 runs to 27, in 10 meetings and won the season series 7-3.

In batting splits, Pittsburgh scuffled against right-handers last season (a low-contact .612 OPS). The Reds were at their best against righties with .733 OPS.

The Pirates bullpen bolsters that last nugget; when Brubaker exits, it’s a heavily right-leaning corps of relievers behind him. Bullpen availability at the top end favors Cincinnati coming into this series.

Peg this one as a strong-signal play (at least for an early-season tilt) on the REDS (-145).

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Cincinnati dominated Pittsburgh in the runs department last year but this starting pitching matchup brings too much gray area into the equation.

This run-line play brings in extra juice for the house and a PASS is recommended.

Over/Under (O/U)

Walks, home runs, wind out, warmed-up Midwest, Pittsburgh ‘pen playing to Cincy strengths.

Again — gray area on the starters chips away at the strength of the play, but consider some partial-unit action on the OVER 9 (-120).

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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 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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