Pirates vs. Cubs Tuesday Prediction
After their home opener was postponed on Monday, the Chicago Cubs hope to get their game in with the Pittsburgh Pirates today at 2:20 p.m. ET. What is the best play on the board for bettors if these National League Central rivals do actually play this afternoon?
Game Snapshot & Odds
929 Pittsburgh Pirates (+130) at 930 Chicago Cubs (-150)
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
2:20 p.m. ET, Wrigley Field
TV: ATTP (PIT); ABC 7 (CHC)
(Odds courtesy of online sportsbooks YouWager)
Public Betting Trends
As of this writing, 70% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Cubs to beat the Pirates on the money line. 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 send struggling Nova to the mound
The Bucs are hot but they’ll send a struggling Ivan Nova to the hill in Chicago on Monday afternoon. Nova hasn’t been able to put it together yet this season, failing to post a quality start in either of his two outings in 2018. He allowed five runs on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings in a loss last Wednesday to the Twins. Of the five hits Nova allowed, four went for extra bases, including a home run by Brian Dozier.
At least the Pirates are hot. Who would have thought a week into the season that Pittsburgh would sit atop the National League Central standings at 7-2? Their latest win came courtesy of Jameson Taillon, who dominated the struggling Cincinnati Reds on Sunday while allowing just one hit and picking up the first shutout of his career in a 5-0 Bucs’ victory.
Cubs Starting to Get Hot After Successful Trip to Milwaukee
The Cubs enter Monday’s home opener having won three of their past four games. While they posted only a trio of runs in their 3-0 win over the Brewers on Sunday, the Cubs produced 20 runs in their four-game series against Milwaukee. Much of that scoring came without All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who has been out of the Cubs’ lineup with a back injury. Rizzo missed three straight games but told reporters on Sunday that he wants to play in the Cubs’ Wrigley Field debut on Monday.
Meanwhile, Tyler Chatwood will make his second start of the season and his Wrigley Field debut for the Cubs on Monday. He allowed just one earned run, four hits and six walks in six innings in his first start against Cincinnati. He struck out four and has held Pittsburgh, posting a 1.50 ERA in two career starts versus the Buccos.
MLB Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are just 1-7 in Nova’s last eight starts and are 5-16 in his last 21 road outings.
Chicago
The Cubs are 10-4 in their last 14 home games dating back to last season and are 13-5 in their last 18 divisional matchups.
Prediction:
Even though Nova has struggled, why not take the hotter team getting plus odds? The Pirates are 5-0 in their last five road games, are 5-1 in their last six divisional games, and are 9-2 in their last 11 games dating back to last season. Ride the hot team.
The Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates +130