The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs meet Thursday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. This matchup marks the finale in a three-game series. The Cubs took a blowout victory in the opener, then in game two Pittsburgh evened it up with a six-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Pittsburgh Pirates 

The Pirates couldn’t get anything going on five team hits in the Tuesday opener of this series, eventually falling big 14-1. Ke’Bryan Hayes had the lone RBI with a solo homer among two hits. On Wednesday Pittsburgh posted seven runs in the fourth inning and powered their way to a 13-7 win. Joshua Palacios had two hits with a homer and three RBI along the way. 

In the starting pitcher role for the Pirates on Thursday it’ll be Johan Oviedo. This year so far Oviedo is 8-14 with a 4.27 ERA in 30 starts. Oviedo has 147 Ks in 166.2 total innings. In his last seven starts he’s 2-3 with a 4.58 ERA. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Team Facts

The Pirates have lost 10 of their last 11 games at Wrigley Field following a win.
The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last seven night games following a road win.
The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four road games against NL Central opponents.

Chicago Cubs 

Over on the Cubs’ side, they posted 12 team hits in the Tuesday win and scored a whopping eight runs in the eighth inning. Cody Bellinger had a three-run homer and Alexander Canario had five RBI with a grand slam. On Wednesday Chicago had 12 hits in a great offensive evening but couldn’t keep pace. Ian Happ had a grand slam and Christopher Morel had a solo homer. 

It’ll be Kyle Hendricks in the starter role for the Cubs on Thursday. This year Hendricks is 6-7 with a 3.77 ERA in 22 starts. Hendricks is 2-1 with a 3.35 ERA over his last seven starts, posting 29 strikeouts over 40.1 innings total. 

Chicago Cubs Team Facts

The Cubs have lost each of their last five games as favorites after playing the previous day.
The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last six games against the Pirates following a loss.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last six Thursday night games.
The Cubs have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last seven games as favorites against National League opponents.
The Cubs have led after 3 innings in each of their last four home games.

Matchup/League Facts

The Chicago Cubs rank 5th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.329).
The Chicago Cubs rank T6th in the league for walks this season (529).
The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 28th in the league for hits this season (1198).
The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 27th in the league for home runs this season (150).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I might take a stab on the Pirates here. Oviedo is going to need some help from the bats and the pen, though. Over three starts this month, Oviedo is 0-1 with seven earned runs in 12.1 innings total. He’s coming off 5.0 innings with one earned versus the Yankees in a no-decision. As for Hendricks, he’s got nine earned runs in 16.1 innings total during three September starts. In Wednesday’s matchup, Pittsburgh really got their offense going; every player got on base at least once, and four batters had multiple hits. The Pirates will need to calm down on the mound but I think they’ve got a decent shot at a W if all goes well.