Cubs vs. Pirates Prediction
Will the Chicago Cubs go on the road and pick up a win over the Pittsburgh Pirates when the two meet up this evening at 7:05PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
955 Chicago Cubs at 956 Pittsburgh Pirates
Thursday, August 16, 2018
7:05PM ET – PNC Park
TV: ATPT (Pit); NSCH (Chi)
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers, the Cubs are the slight favorite on the road, as they are getting odds of -110 to win. The Pirates are listed with a money line of +100 to win, while the over/under total has been set at 8.5 runs. The public betting for this game currently has 65 percent going on Chicago on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Cubs flip flopping
The Cubs have alternated wins and losses over their last seven games. They are coming off an 8-4 win over Milwaukee on Wednesday. Chicago is now 69-50 on the season and 31-27 on the road. The Cubs are putting up 4.91 runs per game on offense while allowing 4.15 per contest.
Jon Lester gets the start for the Cubs tonight. He is making his 25th start of the season today. He has a 12-5 record with a 3.89 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Lester has 105 strikeouts and 52 walks over 134.1 innings of work.
Pirates in a funk
The Pirates have lost three straight coming into today, falling at San Francisco and Minnesota. Pittsburgh is now 61-60 overall and 33-29 at home. The Pirates are putting up 4.55 runs per contest while allowing 4.54 per contest.
Ivan Nova takes the mound for the Pirates this evening. He is 7-6 through 22 starts with a 4.42 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Nova has 88 strikeouts and 27 walks over 124.1 innings of work this season.
MLB Betting Trends
Chicago
The Cubs have won six of Lester’s last seven road starts and they are 8-3 in their last 11 games against a right-handed starter.
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are 5-1 in Nova’s last six starts and 10-3 in their last 13 games against division opponents.
Prediction:
Lester has had some struggles with the Pirates this year, posting a 4.70 ERA over four starts. On the flip side, Nova has a 2.84 ERA against the Cubs over a pair of starts. Nova has also been much better at home this year than he has been on the road. I think he will have a strong outing for the Pirates, who will be eager to come back home after a long road trip.
The Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates +100