Cubs open as moneyline underdog vs Pirates

0-2 April 03, 2014, 12:35 PM | PNC Park 2-0


The visiting Cubs hope for a solid performance on Thursday as they look to steal a win at PNC Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Wandy Rodriguez gets the call for the Pittsburgh Pirates and he will try to build on a 0-0 mark. In the other dugout, Jason Hammel brings a 0-0 ledger to the game for the Cubs as he tries to quiet the Pirates bats.View Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Odds and Stats.

Pittsburgh was a -165 moneyline favorites earlier in the day at Sportsbook, based on the starting pitcher matchup. That pairing made odds makers at Sportsbook settle on an Sportsbook over under number of 7.5.

The Pirates - Cubs odds would favor the Pirates if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Pittsburgh is rated No. 10 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Chicago is at No. 26.



Chicago lost its last outing, a 4-3 result against the Pirates on April 2. Bettors who backed the Pirates at -154 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (7) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window. Chicago lost in extra innings against the Pirates on Wednesday as Pittsburgh edged them 4-3 at PNC Park.

How They Match Up:
Scoring stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features Pittsburgh's No. 21-ranked scoring average of 2.5 runs per game, against a Cubs offense rated No. 27 and scoring 1.5 runs per game. The Pirates have averaged 7 hits per game to date this season, less than the Cubs hitters have managed (10.5 per nine innings).

Pittsburgh owns the No. 4 defense, allowing 2.5 men per game to cross the plate. That contrasts with Chicago's No. 10-rated defense.

A few Cubs at Pirates trends to consider:
Chi Cubs is 0-4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Chi Cubs is 0-4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Chi Cubs is 1-5-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
Chi Cubs is 1-7-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 5-1-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 7-1-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs


Next up:
Chicago home to Philadelphia, Friday, April 4th
Pittsburgh home to St. Louis, Friday, April 4th
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