Pirates vs. Cubs Saturday Prediction
The Chicago Cubs will look to make it three in a row against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates and four consecutive when the two teams meet at Wrigley Field on Saturday. Will Saturday’s game match Friday afternoon’s contest and turn out low-scoring for bettors?
Game Snapshot & Odds
905 Pittsburgh Pirates (+153) at 906 Chicago Cubs (-170)
Saturday, June 9, 2018
2:20 p.m. ET, Wrigley Field
TV: PIT (ATTP); CHC (ABC 7)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Cubs as a -170 favorite. As of this writing, 76% 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.
Pirates’ Kingham allows four runs in loss to Cardinals
Nick Kingham yielded four runs — three earned — over five innings Sunday in a loss to the Cardinals. Marcell Ozuna popped him for a grand slam to left field in the bottom of the first inning after Sean Rodriguez booted what should have been a double play ball. Kingham settled in from there, but he was thoroughly out-dueled by opposing starter Michael Wacha, who carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning. Kingham stands 2-2 with a 4.03 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 30/5 K/BB ratio through his first 29 major league frames. Up next is a road meeting with the Cubs.
Cubs’ Lester fires seven scoreless innings in win over Mets
Jon Lester fired seven shutout innings in a 2-0 victory over the Mets on Sunday. Lester allowed two hits, and while he did walk three, he prevented any of his self-inflicted damage from scoring; helped in large part by his seven strikeouts. The veteran southpaw struggled against the Pirates on Tuesday, but was excellent in his previous four starts, and he’s allowed just a run or fewer in four-of-five outings. Lester will take a 2.44 ERA and 1.16 WHIP into his start on Saturday against Pittsburgh.
MLB Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are 2-5 in their last seven games against the Cubs in Chicago.
Chicago
The Cubs have won seven of their last eight games overall and are 4-1 in their last five home games.
Prediction:
Lester is due for a negative regression at some point, as his ERA is 2.44 but his BABIP is .254, suggesting that he’s been fortunate thus far this season. His strikeouts are also down and the Pirates don’t whiff much as a team. That said, they also don’t possess much power and the wind is not blowing out today at Wrigley Field. With the under cashing in four of the last five meetings between these two teams and going 5-2 in Lester’s last seven home starts against the Pirates, that’s the route I’m taking this afternoon.
The Pick: Pirates/Cubs under