Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs, 4/8/2019 Predictions & Odds

Pirates vs. Cubs Monday Prediction

Following a long road trip in which they ended with a 2-7 record, the Cubs will finally play their home opener on Monday afternoon when they host division rival Pittsburgh at 2:20 p.m. ET. Will the Pirates spoil things for the Wrigley Field crowd?

Game Snapshot & Odds

951 Pittsburgh Pirates (+109) at 952 Chicago Cubs (-118); N/A runs

Monday, April 8, 2019

2:20 p.m. ET, Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

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Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Cubs are -116 moneyline favorites. As of this writing, 73% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Cubs to beat the Pirates on the moneyline.

This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.

Pittsburgh Pirates Fantasy Spin

Josh Bell went 2-for-3 with a solo homer, a walk and a pair of RBI to lift the Pirates to a 7-5 win over the Reds on Sunday. Bell cleared the batter's eye in center field with a towering 474-foot solo blast -- his second long-ball of the season -- off Reds' starter Anthony DeSclafani. He also plated a key insurance run with an RBI double to right field off reliever David Hernandez in the fifth. The 26-year-old slugger has begun to tap into his tremendous power potential early this season, hitting .310/.382/.621 with five extra-base hits and eight RBI in just eight games.

Chicago Cubs Fantasy Spin

Willson Contreras hit a two-run home run in Sunday's loss to the Brewers. Contreras showed impressive strength in taking a Zach Davies offering the other way to right-center field in the sixth inning to cut into the Brewers' lead. It was his third home run in eight games, a stark contrast from a disappointing 2018 season in which he hit just 10 bombs all season. Those who got in on the rebound are reaping the benefits, with the 26-year-old hitting .364/.517/.864 on the young season.

MLB Betting Trends

Pittsburgh

The Pirates have won five of Jameson Taillon’s last seven starts versus the Cubs.

Chicago

The Cubs have won six of Jon Lester’s last seven starts versus the Pirates.

Prediction:

The Pirates have been profitable when Taillon toes the rubber. They’re 7-3 in his last 10 starts overall and have won 10 of his last 14 outings on the road. Meanwhile, the Cubs have dropped seven of their last eight games overall and are just 1-6 in their last seven games versus a right-handed starter. Jon Lester has been a bulldog for Chicago but the Cubs’ bullpen can’t be trusted. Given how much the Cubs have struggled in the early going, I cannot pass on the value that the Pirates’ odds offer.

The Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates +109