Cubs vs. Pirates Prediction
A controversial slide into home by Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo was the story in yesterday’s shutout win by Chicago at the Pittsburgh Pirates. Will Pittsburgh get some revenge today as the series continues?
Game Snapshot
951 Chicago Cubs at 952 Pittsburgh Pirates
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
PNC Park at 7:05PM ET
TV: ATT SportsNet (PIT)
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Cubs are a -117 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Pirates are a +117 underdog, while the total is set at 8 runs. As of Tuesday morning, 76 percent of public bets are being placed on visiting Chicago. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Rizzo slide stirs debate
In the eighth inning of Monday’s 7-0 Cubs win, Rizzo slid into the leg of Pirates catcher Elias Diaz which caused an errant throw into the outfield as Chicago pushed its lead to 5-0. Rizzo finished his day 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Addison Russell was 2-for-2 off with bench with a home run, two runs and two RBIs. Javier Baez finished 2-for-5 with a run. Chris Gimenez also notched two hits. Chad Kuhl was the tough-luck losing pitcher for Pittsburgh as he gave up one earned run over six innings, striking out five and walking four.
Montgomery, bullpen combine on two-hitter
Cubs starter Mike Montgomery allowed two hits while striking out five and walking none through 5 2/3 innings of work to pick up the win. Four relievers – Steve Cishek, Justin Wilson, Pedro Strop and Luke Farrell, threw 3 1/3 innings of hitless baseball the rest of the way. Corey Dickerson and Sean Rodriguez had the only two hits for the Pirates.
Jon Lester (4-2, 2.37 ERA) will start today for Chicago, while Nick Kingham (2-1, 3.44) is on the mound for Pittsburgh.
MLB Betting Trends
Chicago
The under is 5-2-1 in the last eight Cubs road games. Chicago is 7-3 in the last 10 Lester starts.
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are 2-8 in their last 10 games overall. Pittsburgh is 1-6 in its last seven home games.
Prediction:
Pittsburgh is trending downward right now, but has some motivation to rebound after yesterday’s controversy. Kingham has been solid for the most part since being called up by the Pirates and Chicago’s offense can sometimes take a cat nap especially away from home. Lester can have the occasional start where he gets rocked and perhaps this is the day as Pittsburgh needs to get something going after being limited to two hits in the series opener.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: PITTSBURGH PIRATES +107