The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates are two teams trending in opposite directions. However, home-field advantage seemingly matters more than anything else when the Cubs and Bucs clash, with the home team going 5-1 SU and 6-0 ATS in the past six meetings between the two teams.
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of the Cubs’ last 11 games against the Pirates.
- Jameson Taillon has a 6.75 ERA since the all-star break.
- Anthony Rizzo is 6-for-11 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs in his career against Jameson Taillon.
The Cubs will hope a struggling Jon Lester can find his groove when he takes the bump Thursday. The southpaw has a 7.71 ERA in his five starts since the beginning of August and has seen his hits allowed increase in each of those outings. Lester has struggled against the Pirates this season, going 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA in three starts vs the Bucs.
Pirates starter Jameson Taillon has been dealing with inconsistencies throughout this season but is in the midst of an upswing. The young righty has allowed just one earned run in his past two starts – though those outings did come against a lowly Cincinnati Reds team.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The visiting Chicago Cubs were -139 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.
OddsShark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 5.8-4.9 victory for the Cubs. 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 (67-73) will face the 76-63 Cubs in this tilt. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Pittsburgh vs Chicago injuries news.
The Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs odds would favor the Cubs if the betting lines were set according to our power ranks. Pittsburgh is rated No. 29 in the current OddsShark poll, while Chicago is at No. 3.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Pittsburgh Pirates' No. 27 ranked offense (4.19 runs per game) against a Chicago Cubs defense and pitching staff that sits at No. 11 at 4.42 runs allowed per game. The Pittsburgh Pirates have been averaging 8.29 hits per game, less than the Chicago Cubs have managed so far this season (8.6 hits on average).
Defensively, Chicago features the No. 6-rated defense on the road, allowing 4.17 runs per game. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, comes in at No. 28 at home, scoring 4 runs per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Cubs didn't allow a single run in their last start, as their staff shut out Pittsburgh 1-0 on Wednesday at PNC Park.
- Chi Cubs is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Chi Cubs is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs' last 6 games
- Chi Cubs is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
- Pittsburgh is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
- Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games
- Pittsburgh is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Chicago home to Milwaukee, Friday, September 8
Pittsburgh at St. Louis, Friday, September 8
