In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Cubs prediction for this MLB game on Friday, July 24th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 53-50 this season after they lost two out of three against the Yankees by scores of 5-8, 5-3, and 0-2. In game three, Pittsburgh pitched very well, but they allowed two runs in the seventh for the loss. The Pirates recorded three hits in the game and they were led by Triolo, who went 1-3. Chandler allowed two hits and zero earned runs over 6.1 innings, while Eisert picked up the loss in relief. Prior to that series, Pittsburgh won two out of three against the Guardians and swept the Brewers in three games.
This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.26 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and a .239 opponent batting average, while they have scored 543 runs with a .261 batting average and a .339 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 21 home runs and 65 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added 16 home runs and 64 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Jared Jones, who is 2-1 with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP over 40.0 innings pitched this season.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
The Chicago Cubs are 57-45 this year after they lost two out of three against the Tigers by scores of 6-8, 11-2, and 1-5. In game three, Chicago led 1-0 in the first inning, but failed to score over the last eight innings for the loss. The Cubs recorded four hits in the game and they were led by Suzuki, who went 1-4 with one home run and one RBI. Rea allowed six hits and four earned runs over 5.0 innings for the loss, while Ferguson allowed one earned run in relief. Prior to that series, Chicago won two out of three against the Twins and two out of three against the Reds.
This season, Chicago has a 4.27 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and a .246 opponent batting average, while they have scored 520 runs with a .245 batting average and a .338 on base percentage. Dansby Swanson has led the Cubs with 16 home runs and 58 RBIs, while Ian Happ has added 18 home runs and 45 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Matthew Boyd, who is 6-1 with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP over 52.0 innings pitched this year.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Pirates have won each of their last four games against NL Central opponents.
- The Cubs have lost each of their last four night games against NL Central opponents following a home loss.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight road games following a home loss.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last four games following a road loss.
- The Cubs have lost the first inning in three of their last four night games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in five of their last six games as favorites.
- The Cubs have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six night games.
Why the Chicago Cubs will win
- The Cubs have won 10 of their last 11 games as road underdogs against the Pirates.
- The Pirates have lost each of their last six games as favorites against the Cubs following a loss.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine Friday games.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in seven of their last eight road games.
- The Cubs have led after 5 innings in seven of their last nine night games against the Pirates.
- The Cubs have won the first inning in six of their last seven games.
- The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in seven of their last nine night games against National League opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Pirates’ last eight games as favorites against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Ten of the Cubs’ last 12 games as underdogs against the Pirates have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Cubs’ last seven games.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in seven of the Pirates’ last eight games.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Esmerlyn Valdez has hit at least one home run in five of the Pirates’ last six games against NL Central opponents.
- Jared Jones has recorded six or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
- Marcell Ozuna has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 appearances with the Pirates as favorites.
- Nick Gonzales ranks 4th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.313) this season.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Ian Happ has hit a home run in each of the Cubs’ last two games against the Pirates.
- Matthew Boyd has recorded six or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances with his team as an underdog against NL Central opponents.
- Alex Bregman has recorded at least one hit in each of his 10 previous road appearances against the Pirates.
- Matthew Boyd has recorded a win in each of his last four appearances.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks T5th in the league in Steals (25) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (933).
- The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (933).
- The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (448).
- The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (448).
Pirates vs Cubs Prediction
Pittsburgh comes into this matchup after alternating wins and losses over their last five games, but they have allowed three runs or fewer in three of their last four. The Pirates are 27-24 at home this year, while the Cubs are 27-23 on the road. Chicago has won three of their last five games and they have scored 5+ runs in four of those five. The Cubs are starting Boyd, who has allowed 1, 4, 0, 3, and 0 earned runs in his last five starts, while Jones has allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his last five outings. Take the Pirates to win here.