Last Updated on August 31, 2016 12:56 pm by Brad Burns
Maddon’s Cubs covet sweep of Pirates
Over the weekend, Jason Hammel had his shortest outing of the season. Yet Cubs manager Joe Maddon is more than ready for the veteran hurler to tackle tonight’s series finale with the Pirates.
The two NL Central rivals square off at 8:05 p.m. ET, with oddsmakers leaning toward the hosts. Online sports book BetDSI lists the North Siders as 1.5-run favorites, while Pittsburgh represents a +140 underdog. The over/under run figure sits at 8.5.
Chicago wants to pull off a sweep, but Hammel (13-7, 3.21 ERA) must figure out a way to bounce back from Saturday’s gaffe on the West Coast. He was lifted after 2 1/3 innings, having surrendered three runs and five hits to the Dodgers. Maddon, though, specifically moved the South Carolina product up in the rotation to assume this evening’s assignment.
Clint Hurdle counters with Ryan Vogelsong (3-3, 3.02), who continues to enjoy a renaissance in the Steel City. The righty holds a 2-2 record with a 2.48 ERA in August. He’s gone 5-7 in 20 career meetings with the Cubbies.
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Maddon’s troops boast an 11-3 mark against the Buccos in 2016. Still, the visitors desperately need to salvage a contest vs. the majors’ top team before welcoming lowly Milwaukee to the Rust Belt region. Hammel’s recent struggles provide the perfect opportunity to do just that.
WEDNESDAY MLB FREE PICK: PIRATES +1.5