Cubs require salvage effort from Lackey
Jon Lester couldn’t stop the bleeding for the Cubs about 13 hours ago. Can fellow veteran John Lackey fare any better this afternoon?
Chicago fans had better hope so, or else the NL Central’s top squad risks dropping six in a row entering the All-Star break. Hard-charging Pittsburgh goes for the sweep at 1:35 p.m. ET, even though oddsmakers must be persuaded further. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the Cubs odds of -155 to triumph, while the host Buccos are regarded as +135 underdogs. The over/under run total rests at 8.5.
The North Siders’ recent skid has been marked by uncharacteristically erratic offensive production and exceedingly shaky pitching. Lackey’s definitely one of the primary culprits in the latter category. After amassing two-plus months of exemplary results, the righty’s in the midst of a four-start winless stretch. On Tuesday, he yielded six runs in a 9-5 defeat to the basement-dwelling Reds.
On the other side, Clint Hurdle hands the ball to Jonathon Niese. The lefty looked resplendent on the Fourth of July, permitting only one run to the Cardinals. He’ll probably be asked to do even more here, because the Pirates’ bullpen was forced to log 6 2/3 innings after Chad Kuhl flamed out in the middle contest.
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In a mano-a-mano battle, however, we still lean toward Lackey. Somewhat startlingly, the Cubbies kind of need the finale in question. Pittsburgh, with nine victories in the past 10 tilts, represents a fierce locomotive at present. That steam engine will slow down a tad shortly.
SUNDAY MLB FREE PICK: CUBS/PIRATES UNDER 8.5 RUNS
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