Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs, 7/12/19 MLB Predictions & Odds

Pirates vs. Cubs Prediction

Will the Chicago Cubs get the second half of the season started on a good note when it hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates today at 2:20PM ET?

Game Snapshot & Odds

901 Pittsburgh Pirates vs. 902 Chicago Cubs

Friday, July 12, 2019

2:20PM ET – Wrigley Field

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Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers, the Cubs are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -165 to win. The Pirates are listed with a money line of +135 to win, while the over/under total is not available. The public betting for the contest currently is unavailable. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.

Pirates trying to gain steam

Pittsburgh ended the first half of the season winning five of its last seven, including three wins against the Cubs at home. The Pirates are 44-45 on the season, 22-24 on the road and 53-33 with the over. Pittsburgh has Chris Archer on the mound today. He is 3-6 on the season with a 5.49 ERA.

The Pirates are putting up 4.85 runs per game on offense while hitting .271 at the plate as a team. On the mound, the Pirates have a 4.91 team ERA with a 1.43 team WHIP. Josh Bell is having an MVP-type season thus far. He has 30 doubles, 27 home runs and 84 RBI. Starling Marte is adding 17 doubles, 12 home runs and 45 RBI.

Cubs struggling

Chicago dropped five of its last seven games entering the All-Star Break, including the losses to Pittsburgh. The Cubs are 47-43 on the season, 29-16 at home and 45-43 with the over. Chicago has Yu Darvish taking the mound today. He is 2-4 on the season with a 5.01 ERA.

The Cubs are putting up 5.06 runs per game this season while hitting .254 as a team. On the mound, Chicago has a 4.09 team ERA with a 1.32 team WHIP. Javier Baez is leading the team with 23 doubles, 22 home runs and 62 RBI while Anthony Rizzo has 17 doubles, 19 home runs and 58 RBI.

MLB Betting Trends

Pittsburgh

The Pirates are 8-3 in their last 11 games following a win, but 5-12 in their last 17 series openers.

Chicago

The Cubs are just 1-4 in their last five division games, but 7-2 in their last nine games following a day off.

Prediction:

At one time, both Darvish and Archer were top-level pitchers. Now, they are both struggling a great deal. Darvish has allowed four runs or more in his last three starts while Archer has not gotten past five innings in his last four starts. Archer has been stronger at home then on the road. Away from home, Archer has a 7.89 ERA with an 0-3 record. Darvish doesn’t have impressive home numbers, but he has a strong lineup to give him enough run support against Archer.

MLB Prediction: Chicago Cubs -165