Chicago will try to be nasty hosts on Friday when the Pittsburgh Pirates pay a visit to Wrigley Field.

The Cubs will turn to Doug Davis and his 0-2 record as they look for a win in this one, while the Pirates send Kevin Correia (6-4) to the hill.



View Pittsburgh vs Chi Cubs Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Baseball odds makers opened the Cubs as -115 moneyline favorites in this matchup. Over under bettors saw the number open at 999.

Power Rankings:
The Odds Shark MLB Power Rankings have the Cubs at No. 7 in the National League and the Pirates at No. 16 in the National League heading into this contest.



How They Match Up:
Rating these teams in several key categories is important for handicappers and Chicago has the National League's No. 3-rated offensive output, at 9.7 hits per game. The Pirates average 7.8 hits per game, good for No. 14 on the National League list.

Defensively, Pittsburgh features the National League's No. 11-rated defense on the road, allowing 4.4 runs per game. Chicago, meanwhile, comes in at No. 5 in the National League at home, scoring 4.5 runs per game.

Pittsburgh lost its last outing, a 4-2 result against the Braves on May 25. Bettors who backed the Braves at +100 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (6) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window. Pittsburgh lost in extra innings against the Braves on Wednesday as Atlanta edged them 4-2 at PNC Park.

Last time out for Chicago, they were a 9-3 Sportsbook as they battled the Mets at home. Moneyline bettors who got the Cubs at -139 were rewarded, while the 12 combined runs moved the game OVER for totals bettors. Chicago looks to continue its winning ways following a victory last time out against the Mets, a 9-3 final on Thursday in support of Carlos Zambrano at Wrigley Field.


Pittsburgh Pirates Trends:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Chi Cubs are 4-6
After playing Atlanta are 3-7
After a loss are 3-7

Chicago Cubs Trends:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Pittsburgh are 4-6
After playing NY Mets are 6-4
After a win are 2-8

A few Pirates at Cubs trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Pittsburgh's last 14 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Pittsburgh's last 11 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 14-6 SU in their last 20 games when playing Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chi Cubs' last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Chi Cubs' last 14 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi Cubs' last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Chi Cubs' last 11 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh


Next up:
Pittsburgh at Chi Cubs, Saturday, May 28