Back at .500 after a win in their series opener against the Pirates, the Cubs will look to make some more forward progress at PNC Park tonight when they send Jake Arrieta (6-4, 4.68 ER) to the mound to take on Ivan Nova (6-4, 2.83 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates. When Nova last took the hill to pitch against the Cubs, the game was called in the sixth inning due to weather and the two teams tied the contest 1-1.
- The Cubs are 0-5 SU in Arrieta’s last 5 road starts.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Nova’s last 6 starts.
- The total has gone OVER in 15 of the Cubs last 20 games at PNC Park.
That tie, however, was the first in Major League Baseball since 2005 and although there is expected to be a little bit of weather in Pittsburgh this evening, I wouldn’t count on it happening again. What you probably can count on, though, is a quality start from Nova. The right-handed Nova has registered a QS in all but two of his 13 starts this season and he’s gone six innings or deeper in every outing.
His counterpart tonight, Arrieta, is having a season that can be considered very parallel to that of the Cubs. Both are underachieving and for the 31-year-old Arrieta, things are not improving. He’s allowed four or more runs in six of his last 10 starts and with a 5.20 ERA away from Wrigley, he’s been terrible on the road.
When Arrieta made his start on hostile ground, the Cubs were beaten by the Padres in a massive moneyline upset where San Diego closed as a +200-home underdog.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The visiting Chicago Cubs were -137 moneyline favorites in this one earlier in the day at most online sportsbooks including Sportsbook. The total was 8.5 at Sportsbook for those preferring over under betting.
Odds Shark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 0.2- victory for the Pirates. 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
Pittsburgh (30-37) will face the 33-33 Cubs in this tilt. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Pittsburgh vs Chicago injuries news.
This game puts the Pittsburgh Pirates, most recently No. 8 in Odds Shark MLB Power Rankings, up against the Chicago Cubs, who rate a No. 22 in the latest survey.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up Pittsburgh Pirates No. 25 ranked offense (4.24 runs per game) against a Chicago Cubs defense and pitching staff that sits at No. 15 at 4.64 runs allowed per game. The Pittsburgh Pirates have been averaging 8.48 hits per game, more than the Chicago Cubs have managed so far this season (8.03 hits on average).
Defensively, Chicago features the No. 15-rated defense on the road, allowing 4.68 runs per game. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, comes in at No. 27 at home, scoring 3.83 runs per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Chicago looks to continue its winning ways following a victory last time out against the Pirates, a 9-5 final on Friday in support of E Butler at PNC Park.
- Chi Cubs is 6-14 ATS in its last 20 games
- Chi Cubs is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games
- Chi Cubs is 2-10 ATS in its last 12 games on the road
- Pittsburgh is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
- Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
- Pittsburgh is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Pittsburgh is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Chicago at Pittsburgh, Sunday, June 18th
