In baseball’s lone afternoon game today, the Cubs will look to remain perfect against the Pirates after already sweeping them in a three game series earlier this month. Chicago has lost two games in a row coming into action today, which is their longest losing streak of the season. The two straight losses is rare for the Cubs who are 7-1 in their last eight games after a loss.
- The Pirates are 9-2 in their last 11 games on Friday.
- The total has gone OVER in seven of the Cubs' last eight games during the afternoon.
- The total has gone OVER in the Pirates' last nine games during the afternoon.
The Cubs will give the ball to Jason Hammel who has been lights out so far this season with a 4-0 record and 1.85 ERA in six starts. This includes a win over the Pirates where he pitched five innings, recording three K’s and two earned runs. Considering the 33-year-old has a career 4.43 ERA in 224 starts, it’s fair to assume that he’ll eventually come back down to earth.
The Pirates will counter with Francisco Liriano who’s done his worst work on the road this season. In four road starts he has a 5.24 ERA while giving up five home runs. He did, however, have success against the Cubs in his only start at Wrigley Field last season when he pitched 7.2 innings, allowing zero runs while striking out nine.
In the three game sweep at the start of May, the Cubs outscored the Pirates 20-5.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Chicago Cubs sport a record of 25-8 heading into this matchup, while the Pittsburgh Pirates sit at 18-15 on the season Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Chicago vs Pittsburgh injuries news.
According to MLB Power Rankings here, it's the No. 1-ranked Chicago Cubs and the No. 16-rated Pittsburgh Pirates in this matchup.
Statistical Matchup
Scoring stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features the Chicago Cubs No. 1-ranked scoring average of 5.94 runs per game, against a Pittsburgh Pirates offense rated No. 5 and scoring 4.94 runs per game. The Cubs have averaged 8.91 hits per game to date this season, less than the Pirates hitters have managed (9.82 per nine innings).
Defensively, Pittsburgh features the No. 24-rated defense on the road, allowing 5 runs per game. Chicago, meanwhile, comes in at No. 4 at home, scoring 5.06 runs per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Pirates enjoyed a 5-4 victory at the expense of the Reds on Wednesday, with J Nicasio throwing 1 innings of 0-hit ball at Great American Ball Park.
Chicago didn't plate a single run in their last outing, shut down by D Pomeranz in a losing cause, 1-0, against San Diego on Wednesday.
- Pittsburgh is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
- The total has gone OVER in 17 of Pittsburgh's last 25 games
- Pittsburgh is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 11 of Pittsburgh's last 16 games on the road
- Chi Cubs is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
- The total has gone OVER in 10 of Chi Cubs's last 13 games
- Chi Cubs is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chi Cubs's last 10 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Pittsburgh at Chicago, Saturday, May 14th
