In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Friday, September 11th at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
The Chicago Cubs are 81-66 this year after they lost all three against the Brewers by scores of 3-4, 3-4, and 6-8. In game three, Chicago trailed 8-1 in the ninth, but they scored five in the ninth to make the game close. The Cubs recorded five hits and they committed two errors in the game, while they were led by Conforto, who went 1-3 with two RBIs. Gausman allowed eight hits and six earned runs over 4.0 innings for the loss, while Rea threw an inning in relief. Prior to that series, Chicago won two out of three against the Marlins and split four games with the Brewers.
This season, Chicago has a 4.22 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and a .245 opponent batting average, while they have scored 780 runs with a .251 batting average and a .339 on base percentage. Pete Crow-Armstrong has led the Cubs with 41 home runs and 97 RBIs, while Dansby Swanson has added 18 home runs and 66 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Shota Imanaga, who is 9-10 with a 3.91 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP over 156.1 innings pitched this year.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 74-73 this season after they swept the White Sox in three games by scores of 9-3, 4-2, and 2-0. In game three, Pittsburgh scored once in the fourth inning and once in the eighth in the win. The Pirates recorded seven hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Cruz, who went 3-4 with one home run and two RBIs. Jones allowed one hit and zero earned runs over 7.0 innings for the win, while Montgomery picked up the save. Prior to that series, Pittsburgh won two out of three against the Angels and two out of three against the Giants.
This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.13 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and a .236 opponent batting average, while they have scored 709 runs with a .253 batting average and a .331 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 29 home runs and 83 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added 17 home runs and 69 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is TBD.
Why the Chicago Cubs will win
- The Pirates have lost each of their last 12 Friday games against NL opponents.
- The Cubs have won nine of their last 10 home games against the Pirates following a road loss.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five day games following a win.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in four of their last five games against the Pirates.
- The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last eight Friday road games.
- The Cubs have led after 3 innings in six of their last seven home games.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Pirates have won each of their last five road games.
- The Cubs have lost each of their last five games following a road loss.
- The road team has covered the run line in each of the Pirates’ last six games.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 home games following a road loss.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in each of their last four day games against the Cubs.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in each of their last five road games.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Pirates’ last six games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Eight of the Cubs’ last nine home games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in seven of Braxton Ashcraft’s last eight appearances as a starter.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of Shota Imanaga’s last four appearances as a starter against the Pirates.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Alex Bregman has hit at least one home run in three of his last four appearances after not playing the previous day.
- Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances after not playing the previous day.
- Shota Imanaga has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his four previous home appearances against the Pirates.
- Shota Imanaga has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances against NL opponents that held a winning record.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Esmerlyn Valdez has hit at least one home run in three of his four previous appearances in day games against NL Central teams that held a winning record.
- Spencer Horwitz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances in day games against teams that held a winning record.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cubs rank 1st in the league for runs scored this season (780).
- The Cubs rank 1st in the league for home runs this season (203).
- The Pirates rank T1st in the league for hits this season (1280).
- The Pirates rank 2nd in the league for home runs allowed this season (141).
Cubs vs Pirates Prediction
Pittsburgh comes into this matchup after sweeping the White Sox and they are hanging around in the NL Wild Card race. The Pirates are 36-39 on the road this year, while the Cubs are 41-31 at home. Chicago has lost four in a row and they have allowed 26 runs in those four games. The Cubs are starting Imanaga, who has allowed 1, 6, 1, 3, and 4 earned runs in his last five starts, while the Pirates haven’t named their starter. This is a tough game to call with limited info, but I will take the Cubs -1.5 here.