The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs meet Tuesday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. Here’s a Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates prediction. This will be the second installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Cubs vs Pirates pick.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
Over the weekend Pittsburgh played the Cleveland Guardians. The Pirates only won one of those games, 3-0 on Saturday. On Monday versus the Cubs, Pittsburgh powered out a win 5-3. Starting pitcher Jared Jones lasted 6.1 innings with three earned.
In the starter role for Tuesday, the Pirates are sending out Paul Skenes. Over the first 18 starts of his career, Skenes is 8-2 with a 2.23 ERA and 136 Ks in 109.0 innings.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
Over on the Cubs’ side, their last set was against the Washington Nationals. Chicago won all three of those games 7-6, 5-3, and 14-1. On Monday the Cubs were out-hit 8-6 in the loss and committed two errors.
Justin Steele will take the starter role for the Cubs on Tuesday. This year Steele is 5-5 with a 3.09 ERA in 22 starts. He’s 29-21 with a 3.24 career ERA in 96 games (85 starts).
Why the Chicago Cubs will win
- The Pirates have lost 11 of their last 12 games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Cubs have won seven of their last eight night games against National League opponents.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in 11 of their last 12 night games against NL Central opponents following a loss.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five night games against NL Central opponents following a win.
- The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five night games against National League opponents.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three road games against National League opponents.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The road team has won each of the Cubs’ last seven games.
- The Cubs have lost three of their last four games as home favorites after playing the previous day.
- The road team has covered the run line in each of the last eight games between the Pirates and Cubs.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in 11 of their last 12 games as home favorites against National League opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Eight of the Cubs’ last nine games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Each of the Pirates’ last five night games against NL Central opponents has gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last five home games.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Pirates’ last four games at Wrigley Field.
Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction
I’m going to stay with the Pirates. Pittsburgh let Skenes down in his last start after 5.0 innings and two earned runs (which ended up a 14-10 loss to the Cubs). Skenes is 2-0 in his last trio of outings with four earned in 17.0 total frames. As for Steele, he’s given up just four earned over his last 12.0 innings in a pair of victories.
On Monday the Pirates scored four runs in the eighth inning to spur the comeback bid. Pittsburgh should be in good shape behind Skenes on Tuesday as long as the bats come along for the ride.