The Pittsburgh Pirates (52-71) and the Chicago Cubs (68-53) play the second game of a 3-game series Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Pirates vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cubs lead 5-3
Pittsburgh snapped a 5-game losing streak with a 3-2 win as a +165 underdog at Chicago Friday. CF Jack Suwinski hit a solo home run.
Chicago has lost 4 of its last 5 games, including each of its last 2, after Friday’s setback as a -180 favorite. CF Pete Crow-Armstrong and 3B Matt Shaw each drove in a run for the Cubs, who went just 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
Pirates at Cubs projected starters
RHP Mike Burrows vs. LHP Shota Imanaga
Burrows (1-4, 4.66 ERA) makes his 15th start. The rookie has a 1.26 WHIP, 3.3 BB/9 and 9.2 K/9 through 67 2/3 innings.
Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 K in 14-8 home defeat against Cincinnati Reds SundayCareer vs. Cubs: 1 road start (June 14), no-decision, 5 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 8 K in 2-1 setback
Imanaga (8-5, 3.19 ERA) makes his 18th start. He has a 0.97 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9 and 7.4 K/9 through 96 innings.
Last start: Loss, 6 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 9 K in 3-2 setback at St. Louis Cardinals SundayCareer vs. Pirates: 2-0, 0.00 ERA (19 IP), 0.74 WHIP, 10 H, 4 BB, 17 K in 3 starts
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Pirates at Cubs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Pirates +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Cubs -250 (bet $250 to win $100)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates +1.5 (+100) | Cubs -1.5 (-120)Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -110 | U: -110)Pirates at Cubs picks and predictionsPrediction
Cubs 4, Pirates 1
PASS.
There is no value on the Cubs (-250) to win Saturday.
BET CUBS -1.5 (-120).
The Cubs have struggled recently, but they have won by at least 2 runs in each of their last 4 wins. Imanaga has found a lot of success against the Pirates in the past as well, never allowing a run against them in 19 innings.
Seven of the last 8 losses from the Pirates have come by at least 2 runs, while the team has scored 3 or fewer runs in 4 of their last 6 games.
BET UNDER 9 (-110).
The Under is 7-2-1 in the last 10 meetings and has hit in 5 straight.
The Pirates have hit the Under in 4 of their last 7 overall.
The Cubs have cashed the Under in 9 of their last 10 games, including 5 straight. They’ve scored 2 runs or fewer in 4 of their last 5, while holding opponents to 3 runs or fewer in 5 of their last 6 — and in each of the last 3.
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