In this article we will formulate a Cubs vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, September 13th 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 83-66 this season after they won the first two games by scores of 12-2 and 4-3. In game two, Chicago led 2-0 in the third inning, but they needed two runs in the eighth to escape with the win. The Cubs recorded five hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Busch, who went 1-3 with one home run and one RBI. Holmes allowed five hits and two earned runs over 5.2 innings, while Rolison picked up the win in relief. Prior to this series, Chicago lost all three against the Brewers, but did win two out of three against the Marlins before that.
This season, Chicago has a 4.19 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and a .244 opponent batting average, while they have scored 796 runs with a .252 batting average and a .340 on base percentage. Pete Crow-Armstrong has led the Cubs with 41 home runs and 98 RBIs, while Dansby Swanson has added 18 home runs and 66 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Matthew Boyd, who is 8-4 with a 4.03 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP over 109.1 innings pitched this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 74-75 this year after they lost game two by a score of 3-4 on Saturday. Pittsburgh took the 3-2 lead in the sixth inning, but their bullpen cost them another game. The Pirates recorded six hits in the game and they were led by O’Hearn, who went 1-4 with one home run and three RBIs. Skenes allowed four hits and two earned runs over 7.0 innings, while Soto blew the save and picked up the loss. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh swept the White Sox in three games and won two out of three against the Angels.
This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.18 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and a .237 opponent batting average, while they have scored 714 runs with a .253 batting average and a .330 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 29 home runs and 83 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added 18 home runs and 72 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Bubba Chandler, who is 7-9 with a 4.25 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP over 142.0 innings pitched this year.
Why the Chicago Cubs will win
- The home team has won each of the Cubs’ last six games.
- The Pirates have lost seven of their last eight day games against NL opponents that held a winning record.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in six of their last seven day games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- The Cubs have won the first inning in six of their last seven day games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in seven of their last eight day games against NL opponents that held a winning record.
- The Cubs have led after 3 innings in each of their last six home games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Cubs have lost four of their last five games as home favorites against NL Central opponents following a win.
- The Pirates have won seven of their last 10 games as road underdogs against the Cubs following a loss.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last 10 road games against the Cubs following a loss.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 games as home favorites following a win.
Total Runs Facts
- Seven of the Cubs’ last eight games as favorites against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Seven of the Pirates’ last eight games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in seven of the Cubs’ last eight games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Pirates’ last five games against NL opponents.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Pete Crow-Armstrong has hit at least one home run in five of the Cubs’ last six home games against NL opponents that held a losing record.
- Matthew Boyd has recorded six or more strikeouts in three of his last four home appearances against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
- Matthew Boyd has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances in day games against teams that held a losing record.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks 2nd in the league in Home Runs (41) this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Bubba Chandler has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last five appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Spencer Horwitz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances in day games against teams that held a winning record.
- Ryan O’Hearn has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances against the Cubs after playing the previous day.
- Nick Gonzales ranks 5th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.305) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cubs rank 1st in the league for runs scored this season (796).
- The Cubs rank 1st in the league for home runs this season (206).
- The Pirates rank 2nd in the league for hits this season (1293).
- The Pirates rank 2nd in the league for home runs allowed this season (144).
Cubs vs Pirates Prediction
Chicago comes into this matchup looking for the series sweep, but they were very lucky to get the win on Saturday. The Cubs are 43-31 at home this year, while the Pirates are 36-41 on the road. Pittsburgh has won three of their last five games, but they have scored two runs in two of their last three. The Pirates are starting Chandler, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last five starts, while Boyd has allowed 3+ earned runs in four of his last five. Take the Pirates here.