Cubs vs. Pirates, 5/26/21 MLB Betting Predictions & DFS Notes

Cubs vs. Pirates MLB Prediction

The Cubs took the series opener versus the Pirates on Tuesday but will they cash again as a road favorite when these division rivals continue their series at 6:35 p.m. ET on Wednesday?

Game Snapshot

901 Chicago Cubs (-146) at 902 Pittsburgh Pirates (+122); o/u 8.5

6:35 p.m. ET, Wednesday, May 26, 2021

PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA

Chicago Cubs DFS Spin

Joc Pederson slugged a pair of home runs in the Cubs' 4-3 defeat of the Pirates on Tuesday. Pederson launched a solo shot to right off Pirates starter Cody Ponce in the top of the third inning and then got to Ponce again for a two-run blast to center in the top of the fifth. He also added a double for good measure in the top of the ninth, finishing 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored as his season OPS jumped from .694 all the way to .774. The outfielder now has four homers in 33 games this year.

Pittsburgh Pirates DFS Spin

Wil Crowe recorded a career-high seven strikeouts over five innings on Thursday in a no-decision against the Braves. It was a mix of positives and negatives for Crowe in this outing as he gave up an early three-run homer to William Contreras in the second inning, struck out Freddie Freeman to escape a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning, and also surrendered a go-ahead solo shot to Dansby Swanson in the sixth inning. The 26-year-old righty has held his own at the major-league level, allowing three earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts since April 25. He's compiled a respectable 4.91 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 24/13 K/BB ratio over 25 2/3 innings (six appearances, five starts). He's lined up to face the Cubs at home on Wednesday in his next start.

Cubs vs. Pirates Betting Prediction

The under is 11-3-1 in the last 15 meetings between these two teams and is 7-1-1 in the last nine meetings in Pittsburgh. The under is also 7-2 in the Cubs’ last eight road games, is 28-10-3 in their last 40 games as a favorite and is 11-4-1 in their last 15 games as a road favorite. On the other side, the under is 5-1 in the Pirates’ last five home games and is 5-1 in their last six games as a home underdog.

MLB BETTING PREDICTION: CUBS/PIRATES UNDER 8.5