Pirates vs. Cubs Prediction
The host Chicago Cubs dominated the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday in the series opener. Will it be more of the same as the series continues this afternoon?
Game Snapshot
901 Pittsburgh Pirates at 902 Chicago Cubs
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Wrigley Field at 2:20PM ET
TV: MLB Network
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Cubs are a -220 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Pirates are a +200 underdog, while the over-under has not been released as of this writing due to wind factors. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Pirates pitchers struggle in loss
Pittsburgh suffered a 17-8 loss at Chicago Friday evening to drop to 65-83 overall and 34-42 on the road. Kevin Newman helped pace the Pirates offense as he went 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Pablo Reyes ended the contest 3-for-5 with a double, a triple, two runs and two RBIs. Adam Frazier was 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Steven Brault took the loss as he surrendered 10 earned runs on eight hits over 2 2/3 innings, striking out two and walking three. James Marvel will make his second career MLB start today after giving up two earned runs on four hits with two strikeouts and two walks over five innings September 8 to take the loss in a 2-0 home defeat versus the Cardinals.
Cubs explode for 17 runs
Chicago cruised to a 17-8 home victory Friday over Pittsburgh to improve to 79-68 overall and 48-24 at home. Anthony Rizzo led the Cubs offense as he ended the contest 3-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and four RBIs. Nicholas Castellanos went 2-for-4 with a homer, a double, a walk and three RBIs. Willson Contreras finished 3-for-4 with two solo home runs, three runs and a walk. Nico Hoerner was 2-for-5 with his first career MLB home run, a walk, two runs scored and four RBIs. Jon Lester notched the win as he surrendered seven runs (four earned) on 11 hits with two strikeouts and two walks over five innings. Alec Mills picked up the save as he allowed one earned run on two hits with four strikeouts and no walks over three innings. Kyle Hendricks gets the start this afternoon as he comes in with a 10-9 record, 3.33 ERA and 1.11 WHIP plus 137 strikeouts across 159 2/3 innings pitched.
MLB Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are 7-1 in their last eight games following a loss. Pittsburgh is 7-2 in its last nine road games.
Chicago
The Cubs are 4-0 in the last four Hendricks starts. Chicago is 44-21 in its last 65 home games.
Prediction:
Chicago is a much, much better team at home as evidenced by its onslaught last night. Facing a rookie in Marvel coupled with the steady pitching of Hendricks makes this an easy choice for me. Look into the runline if the moneyline is too inflated for you.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: CHICAGO CUBS -220