In this article, we will formulate a Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Prediction for this MLB game on Friday, May 10th at PNC Park.
Pirates Have Lost Two Straight Games
The Pirates have lost two straight games and the pitching has been an issue. Two games ago they were defeated 9-0 and in the last game they were defeated 5-4. They scored four runs in the 5th inning on Wednesday, but that was the only inning they scored any runs. Jo Adell hit a home run and drove in two RBIs. The Pirates are averaging 3.53 runs while their pitching is giving up 4.1 runs per game. The offense is ranked 28th in the league while the pitching is ranked 11th. They currently have a negative run differential of -0.58 which is 20th in the league. Bryan Reynolds has hit four home runs and driven in 17 RBIs. The Pirates will meet the Brewers after this series.
Cubs Offense Has Struggled
The Cubs offense has struggled heading into this game. Over the last three games the Cubs have scored only six runs total and they are going to need to find a way to get the offense going here. On Wednesday the Cubs failed to score any runs against the San Diego Padres and that led to the defeat. Hayden Wesneski went six innings giving up seven hits and three runs. In this game, the Cubs are going to need to get the offense out to a fast start. If the offense struggles early, the confidence could be lost early. The Cubs are averaging 4.58 runs while their pitching is giving up 4.23 runs per game. The offense is ranked 13th in the league while pitching is ranked 12th. Christopher Morel has hit eight home runs and driven in 24 RBis so far this season.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Pirates have won each of their last four night games against NL Central opponents following a loss.
- The Cubs have lost five of their last six night games against the Pirates following a home loss.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last seven night games against NL Central opponents following a loss.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four night games against National League opponents.
- The Cubs have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five Friday night games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
Why the Chicago Cubs will win
- The Cubs have won each of their last four games as underdogs against NL Central opponents following a home loss.
- The Pirates have lost four of their last five games as favorites following a loss.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in 14 of their last 15 games as road underdogs against National League opponents following a loss.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games following a loss.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Pirates’ last seven night games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Each of the Cubs’ last six games as underdogs against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Pirates’ last seven games.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last five games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Prediction
The Pirates’ offense has been a major issue all season, and that is going to continue to be the case again here. The Cubs’ offense has also been a major issue heading into this game, and that is also going to be a problem. Both of the offenses are going to have major issues getting going here. I expect only three or four runs total scored here, and this game is going to stay under the total. Pick the under.