Pirates vs. Cubs Prediction
After spoiling the Chicago Cubs’ home opener on Tuesday, will the Pittsburgh Pirates hand their National League Central rivals another loss on Wednesday night? The division foes will meet at 8:05 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field.
Game Snapshot & Odds
963 Pittsburgh Pirates (+160) at 964 Chicago Cubs (-180); 8.5 runs
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
8:05 p.m. ET, Wrigley Field
TV: WGN (CHC)
Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager currently list the Cubs as a -180 favorite. As of this writing, 69% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Cubs to beat the Pirates on the money line. 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 hope Brault is sharper tonight vs. Cubs
While Steven Brault was able to limit the Reds to just one run over five innings in a win last Thursday, the youngster walked four and needs to be sharper against the Cubs’ dangerous lineup if he’s going to pick up another win. Brault did keep Cincinnati’s hitters off balance for most of the night and struck out four. He earned the win in a wild one against the Tigers in his first start too, so he’s off to a 2-0 start.
Meanwhile, Francisco Cervelli is coming off a big day against the Cubs on Tuesday, going 3-for-4 with a three-run home run in the team’s 8-5 victory against the Cubs. It was the catcher’s first home run of the season.
Several Cubs once again out of the lineup for Wednesday
Ben Zobrist is hitting cleanup and playing left field on Wednesday against the Pirates. Kyle Schwarber is getting the day off and Anthony Rizzo continues to battle a back injury. Javier Baez will hit seventh against Brault after slugging a pair of solo home runs in Tuesday’s loss.
Meanwhile, Jon Lester will toe the rubber for the Cubs after pitching six shutout innings last Thursday in a win over the Brewers. He allowed just three hits and walked one while striking out six in the effort. The outing lowered his ERA to 2.89 through two starts, one great, one bad.
MLB Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are now 10-2 in their last 12 games overall and have won six of their last seven against the rest of the National League Central.
Chicago
The Cubs are 1-4 in Lester’s last five starts versus the Pirates and 1-4 in his last five home outings against Pittsburgh.
Prediction:
I’m going right back to the well with the Pirates, who are 6-0 in Brault’s last six starts dating back to last season. They’re also 5-0 in his last five outings versus the rest of the National League Central and are 4-0 in his last four outings coming off five days of rest. The Pirates’ offense will regress at some point (they lead all of baseball with a .318 BABIP, suggesting they’ve been fortunate with the bats), but that doesn’t mean they’ll come crashing back to earth tonight.
The Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates +160