A key battle on the MLB odds menu sees visiting Chicago duelling Pittsburgh on Sunday at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh hands the ball to starter Erik Bedard in this one and he'll try to improve on his 2-5 mark on the year. Chicago counters with Matt Garza, who will try to quiet the fans and the Pirates bats at the same time.



View Chi Cubs vs Pittsburgh Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Baseball odds makers opened the Pirates as -105 moneyline favorites in this matchup. Over under bettors saw the number open at 6.5.

Power Rankings:
It's a baseball betting matchup between the National League No. 16-rated Pirates and the league No. 11-ranked Cubs, according to the latest MLB power poll here at Odds Shark.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Pittsburgh's No. 16 ranked National League offense (2.8 runs per game) against a Cubs defense and pitching staff that sits at No. 12 in the National League at 4.5 runs allowed per game. The Pirates have been averaging 7 hits per game, less than the Cubs have managed so far this season (8.2 hits on average).

Chicago brings the National League's No. 12-rated defense to this matchup, facing the Pirates' league No. 2-ranked defense.

Chicago was a 3-2 loser in its last match on the road against the Pirates. They lost as +112 underdogs, while the total score of 5 made winners of UNDER bettors. Chicago looks to rebound from a loss to the Pirates, who beat them 3-2 on Saturday behind a start from Kevin Correia at PNC Park.




Chicago Cubs Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing San Diego are 5-5
After playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After a loss are 0-10

Pittsburgh Pirates Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Cincinnati are 6-4
After playing Chi Cubs are 5-5
After a win are 4-6

A few Cubs at Pirates trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs' last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs' last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Chi Cubs' last 12 games when playing Pittsburgh
Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games at home
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home


Next up:
Chi Cubs home to San Diego, Monday, May 28
Pittsburgh home to Cincinnati, Monday, May 28