Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction 5-17-24 Picks
Pittsburgh Pirates (19-25) vs. Chicago Cubs (25-19)
May 17, 2024 2:20 pm EDT
The Line: Chicago Cubs -116 / Pittsburgh Pirates -101; Over/Under: 8
(Get latest betting odds)
The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs meet Friday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. Here’s a Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates prediction. This will be the second installment in a four-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
In their last series the Pirates took on the Milwaukee Brewers. Pittsburgh split the first two games of that set 8-6 (win) and 4-3 (loss), then in the finale the Pirates took a 10-2 blowout loss. On Thursday in the Cubs opener, Pittsburgh eked out a 5-4 win with seven team hits. Starter Jared Jones managed 6.0 innings with three earned on seven hits and zero walks.
It’s looking like the Pirates will send out Paul Skenes as starter for Friday’s matchup. In his first start of the season (and the first of his career), Skenes gave up three earned in 4.0 innings during a no-decision.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
Over on the Cubs’ side, they played the Atlanta Braves in their last set. Chicago lost the first pair in shutout fashion 2-0 and 7-0. In the finale the Cubs halted the sweep with a 7-1 win. In Thursday’s matchup versus the Pirates, the Cubs showed quite a bit of offensive life on seven hits but couldn’t keep pace. Justin Steele made it 5.2 innings in the start with five earned on six hits and a walk.
As starting pitcher for the Cubs on Friday it’ll be Kyle Hendricks. This year Hendricks is 0-3 with a 10.04 ERA in six starts. He’s got 21 Ks in 26.0 innings. Hendricks has a career record of 93-72 with a 3.60 ERA in 253 games (252 starts).
Pirates vs Cubs Injury Notes
Cubs 2B Nico Hoerner (hamstring) was out of the lineup again for Wednesday’s game versus the Braves.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The road team has won five of the last six games between the Pirates and Cubs.
- The Cubs have lost each of their last four home games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven day games against NL Central opponents following a home loss.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in seven of their last eight day games against National League opponents following a win.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one RBI in nine of his last 10 appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Seiya Suzuki has scored at least one run in each of his last seven home appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Kyle Hendricks has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last four home appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Ian Happ has recorded at least one total base in each of the Cubs’ last 14 home games against the Pirates.
- Ian Happ has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last 14 home games against the Pirates.
- Ian Happ has recorded a Double in five of the Cubs’ last six games as underdogs against the Pirates.
- Patrick Wisdom has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances with the Cubs as underdogs against the Pirates.
- Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one Single in each of his last 14 Friday appearances with the Cubs as underdogs.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Connor Joe has hit a home run in three of his last five appearances against NL opponents that held a winning record.
- Connor Joe has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Pirates’ last four day games.
- Oneil Cruz has scored at least one run in each of his last six appearances against the Cubs.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last seven games as favorites against the Cubs.
- Oneil Cruz has recorded a Double in four of his last five appearances with the Pirates as favorites against NL Central opponents.
- Oneil Cruz has recorded a Single in each of his last four appearances with the Pirates as favorites.
- Ke’Bryan Hayes has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last five appearances in day games against teams that held a winning record.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Chicago Cubs rank T1st in the league for triples this season (10).
- The Chicago Cubs rank 4th in the league for walks this season (165).
- The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 27th in the league for batting average this season (.223).
- The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 27th in the league for strikeouts against this season (421).
Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction
I might lean toward the Pirates here. Probably not touching this one, though. It’ll be interesting to see what Skenes can do in his second start. Back on May 11 in his inaugural outing against the Cubs, Scenes gave up six hits and two walks for three earned in 4.0 innings, striking out seven batters along the way. The familiarity could help here, but it’ll also be potentially advantageous for the Cubs hitters.
In Thursday’s game the Pirates got a great effort from the bullpen, as three pitchers combined for 3.0 clean frames, no hits, one walk and four Ks. Both Edward Olivares (two runs; two hits; two RBI) and Nick Gonzales had home runs in a fairly well-balanced (if a bit thin) offensive outing. I like Pittsburgh to keep it rolling on Friday. Should be another good game.