Cubs vs. Pirates Prediction
The Chicago Cubs couldn’t hold the Pittsburgh Pirates back on Saturday, suffering a 3-1 loss. Will the Pirates salvage a 4-game split when the two wrap up their series today at 1:35PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
903 Chicago Cubs at 904 Pittsburgh Pirates
Sunday, August 19, 2018
1:35PM ET – PNC Park
TV: ATPT (Pit); NSCH (Chi)
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Pittsburgh is the slight favorite in this game, as the Pirates are getting odds of -120 to win. The Cubs are listed with a money line of +100 to prevail, while the over/under total has been set at 8 runs. The public betting for this game currently has 51 percent of the wagers on Pittsburgh at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Cubs held to 1 run again
The Cubs saw their 3-game win streak come to an end on Saturday in a 3-1 loss to the Pirates. Chicago has been held to just 1 run in each of its last three games. Chicago is now 71-51 on the season and 33-28 on the road. The Cubs are putting up 4.84 runs per game on offense while allowing 4.08 per contest.
Jose Quintana will start for the Cubs on Sunday. He is making his 24th start of the season today and he comes in with a 10-9 record, a 4.46 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. Quintana has 110 strikeouts with 55 walks over 125.0 innings of work.
Pirates back to .500
The Pirates finally put an end to their five-game losing streak on Saturday, but they continue to struggle at the plate, scoring three runs or less in five of their last six. Pittsburgh is now 62-62 overall and 34-31 at home. The Pirates are putting up 4.47 runs per contest while allowing 4.48 per contest.
Jameson Taillon get the start for the Pirates this afternoon. He has a 9-9 record through 24 starts with a 3.66 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Taillon has 123 strikeouts and 36 walks over 140.0 innings of work this year.
MLB Betting Trends
Chicago
The Cubs are 14-4 in their last 18 against a team with a .500 record or less and they are 7-2 in Quintana’s last nine Sunday starts.
Pittsburgh
The Pirates have won five of Taillon’s last six Sunday starts. However, they have lost seven of their last eight Game 4’s.
Prediction:
The Cubs can’t hit this weekend. They aren’t getting more than a run and I can see them struggling with Taillon today. The Pittsburgh bullpen has had the Cubs’ number as well in this series. Quintana hasn’t gotten a single run from his hitters in his last two starts and I think he can expect similar results this afternoon. I am going to go with Pittsburgh to win another pitching battle.
The Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates -120