Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Pick and Odds Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to bolster their win total and reward those moneyline betting when the Chicago Cubs invade PNC Park on Thursday.

For the Pittsburgh Pirates, Ivan Nova gets the ball, charged with keeping the Chicago Cubs hitters off the base paths. He'll face Rob Zastryzny, 1-0 on the year.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

The Chicago Cubs were listed as -109 favorites on the MLB baseball moneyline at many online sportsbooks, including Sportsbook. The total was set at 8.5 before betting started earlier on Thursday over at Sportsbook.

Odds Shark prediction models pick the Cubs to win this game 6.4-4.2. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Pittsburgh Pirates sport a record of 78-80 heading into this matchup, while the Chicago Cubs sit at 101-57 on the season Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Pittsburgh vs Chicago injuries news.

According to MLB Power Rankings here, it's the No. 8-ranked Pittsburgh Pirates and the No. 6-rated Chicago Cubs in this matchup.

Statistical Matchup

Scoring stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features the Pittsburgh Pirates No. 13-ranked scoring average of 4.56 runs per game, against a Chicago Cubs offense rated No. 3 and scoring 4.99 runs per game. The Pirates have averaged 8.87 hits per game to date this season, more than the Cubs hitters have managed (8.72 per nine innings).

Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping betting factors and Pittsburgh has the No. 21-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Cubs own the No. 1 mark in runs allowed.