Pittsburgh Pirates (19-25) vs. Chicago Cubs (24-19)
May 16, 2024 7:40 pm EDT
The Line: Chicago Cubs -127 / Pittsburgh Pirates +107; Over/Under: 7.5
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In this article, we will formulate a Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction for this MLB Game on Thursday, May 16th at Wrigley Field.
Pirates Need Better Pitching
The Pirates faced off against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday and it was an ugly game. The offense scored only two runs while the pitching gave up 10 runs. The Pirates had eight hits but only finished with two runs. The pitching gave up 13 hits. The Pirates are averaging 3.71 runs while their pitching is giving up 4.47 runs per game. The offense is ranked 26th in the league while the pitching is ranked 17th.
Negative Run Differential for Pirates
They have a negative run differential of -0.77 which is 22nd. Getting the start for the Pirates will be Jared Jones who sits with a 2-4 record overall and an ERA of 2.68. In his last start against the Cubs he went six innings giving up seven hits and three runs.
Cubs End Skid
The Cubs had lost the first two games against the Atlanta Braves, but on Wednesday they looked good. The Cubs scored seven runs and that was enough for the six run victory. Mike Tauchman and Seiya Suzuki both hit home runs. Javier Assad went six innings giving up four hits and zero runs. The Cubs are averaging 4.54 runs while their pitching is giving up 4.33 runs per game. The offense is ranked 13th in the league while the pitching is ranked 15th. They also have a run differential of 0.21 Getting the start for the Cubs will be Justin Steele who sits with a 0-0 record and an ERA of 4.73. In his last start against the Pittsburgh Pirates he went four innings giving up six hits and six runs. If Steele struggles here, this is going to be a long game for the Cubs. Steele is going to need to try to give up two runs or fewer.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Cubs have lost each of their last four games as favorites against National League opponents following a win.
- The Pirates have won five of their last six games as underdogs against NL Central opponents following a road loss.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games as favorites.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 night games against NL Central opponents.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Cody Bellinger has recorded an RBI in each of his last six appearances with the Cubs as favorites against NL opponents.
- Seiya Suzuki has scored at least one run in each of his last seven appearances with the Cubs as favorites.
- Justin Steele has recorded six or more strikeouts in 10 of his last 11 home appearances.
- Ian Happ has recorded at least one total base in each of the Cubs’ last 13 home games against the Pirates.
- Patrick Wisdom has hit a home run in each of his last three appearances with the Cubs as favorites against NL Central opponents.
- Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one Double in each of the Cubs’ last three night games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- Seiya Suzuki has recorded at least one Single in each of his last six home appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Justin Steele has recorded a win in three of his last four home appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Ian Happ has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last 13 home games against the Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in each of his last three appearances with the Pirates as underdogs against the Cubs.
- Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one RBI in each of his six previous appearances with the Pirates as underdogs against the Cubs.
- Connor Joe has scored at least one run in seven of his last eight appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a winning record.
- Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a winning record.
- Oneil Cruz has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last five appearances with the Pirates as underdogs against the Cubs.
- Oneil Cruz has recorded a Double in each of the Pirates’ last three night games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one Single in six of his last seven appearances in night games against NL Central teams that held a winning record.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Chicago Cubs rank T4th in the league for triples this season (9).
- The Chicago Cubs rank 5th in the league for walks this season (160).
- The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 27th in the league for batting average this season (.223).
- The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 27th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.350).
Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction
The Cubs send Steele to the mound, and in his last start he gave up six runs. The Pirates’ offense hasn’t been exactly elite, but their offense is going to get out to a fast start here. Jones sits with an ERA of 2.68, and he’s going to have another strong start here. The Cubs’ offense is going to really struggle, and it’s going to be the Pirates that are going to get the job done. Back the Pirates.
