Pittsburgh Pirates (48-85) vs. Chicago Cubs (59-75)
September 3, 2021 2:20 pm EDT
The Line: Chicago Cubs -137 / Pittsburgh Pirates +127; Over/Under: -
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The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs meet Friday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. This will be the second installment in a four-game weekend series. In the Thursday opener, the Cubs eked out an extra-innings victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Pittsburgh played a pair versus the White Sox this week, losing 4-2 Tuesday and 6-3 Wednesday. In the Thursday opener versus the Cubs, the Pirates had an early lead but gave up five runs in the seventh during an 11-inning loss 6-5. Starter Mitch Keller put up 6.0 frames with no earned on six hits.
For the starter job in the Friday game, the Pirates will send out Steven Brault. Across his 21.2 innings this year Brault has 24 hits, 11 earned runs, two homers allowed, six walks, 14 Ks and a 4.57 ERA.
Over on the Cubs’ side, they managed a pair of wins over the Twins this week, 3-1 Tuesday and 3-0 Wednesday. In the Thursday game, Chicago had 12 hits in the walk-off victory. Keegan Thompson lasted just 1.2 innings with three earned runs on two walks and four hits.
Staring pitcher for the Cubs on Friday will be Alec Mills. Across his 89.2 innings this year Mills has 102 hits, 50 runs (43 earned), eight homers allowed, 25 walks, 65 Ks and a 4.32 ERA.
The Pirates are 36-74 in their last 110 overall and 22-51 in their last 73 road games versus a right-handed starter. Pittsburgh is 2-6 in their last eight in game two of a series and 16-43 in their last 59 versus the NL Central.
Meanwhile, the Cubs are 4-1 in their last five in game two of a series and 17-42 in their last 59 overall. Chicago is 7-19 in their last 26 home games and 0-5 in their last five Friday games.
PICK: I’m going to try the Cubs here. Mills had an ugly outing versus the Royals on August 22, posting 12 hits and seven earned in just 4.0 innings. Mills bounced back in his last start though, with 8.1 frames, four hits and no earned. As for Brault, he logged an ugly outing himself his last time up (3.0 innings; seven earned), but I like him to pitch better here. Should be a nice starting pitcher matchup at least.
