Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs 9/24/18, Prediction & Odds

Pirates vs. Cubs Prediction

The Pittsburgh Pirates have an opportunity to help play spoiler in the bid by the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central as the lead is currently 2.5 games. Can Pittsburgh open tonight's series at Wrigley Field with a win as the underdogs?

Game Snapshot

903 Pittsburgh Pirates at 904 Chicago Cubs

Monday, September 24, 2018

Wrigley Field at 8:05PM ET

TV: NBC Sports Chicago (CHC)

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Public Betting Information

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Cubs are a -145 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Pirates are a +135 underdog, while the total is set at 8 runs. As of Monday afternoon, 71 percent of public bets are being placed on host Chicago. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest info.

Pirates hammered in series finale

Pittsburgh dropped a 13-6 decision Sunday at home agianst Milwaukee to lose two out of three in the series. Nick Kingham suffered the loss as he allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts and two walks over 1 1/3 innings. Elias Diaz went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run in the defeat. Jose Ozuna was 1-for-4 and scored two runs. Josh Harrison finished 1-for-3 with a double, a run and two RBIs. Adam Frazier entered the contest as a reserve and hit a 2-run home run in his only at-bat. Jordy Mercer ended the game 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. 

Cubs take two of three at White Sox

The Cubs recorded a 6-1 victory Sunday at the White Sox to wrap up the three-game series. Kyle Hendricks continued his strong stretch since the All-Star Break as he allowed one earned run on four hits with five strikeouts and no walks over 7 2/3 innings to pick up the win. Daniel Murphy was 2-for-6 with a run from the leadoff spot to help lead the way. Ben Zobrist was 3-for-6 and scored a run. Anthony Rizzo went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, a run and an RBI. Albert Almora Jr. finished 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI. Kyle Schwarber was 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, two walks and two RBIs. Ian Happ ended the game 1-for-4 with a double, a walk and an RBI.

Jameson Taillon (13-9, 3.24 ERA) will take the mound today for the Pirates, while Chicago counters with Cole Hamels (9-10, 3.90).

MLB Betting Trends

Pittsburgh

The Pirates are 6-2 in their last eight games overall. The under is 9-3 in the last 12 Pittsburgh road games.

Chicago

The under is 19-7-2 in the last 28 Cubs games on Mondays. Chicago is 7-3 in its last 10 games overall.

Prediction:

Taillon was outstanding in his last start, although it did come against weak-hitting Kansas City. Hamels, on the other hand, was shelled. With Chicago coming off a series against its crosstown rivals and still holding a bit of a cushion in the NL Central standings, I feel like this is a good spot to place a wager on Pittsburgh. The last four meetings between these two teams have seen no more than four total runs scored and I think Taillon has the type of stuff that will frustrate Cubs hitters here.

 

MLB DAILY PREDICTION: PITTSBURGH PIRATES +135