Pirates vs. Cubs Prediction
Can the Cubs build off the momentum they created Friday with another win against the Pirates on Saturday?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Cubs are -180 money line favorites to beat the Pirates, who have odds of +157 to pull off the upset tonight. With Ivan Nova set to face Jake Arrieta in the pitching matchup, the over/under currently sits at 9 runs.
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From Rotoworld: Nova surrendered four runs on seven hits over his six innings in Monday’s loss to the Phillies. Nova struck out one and walked one on the night. He was tagged by Freddy Galvis for a two-run homer in the first inning, then by Maikel Franco for another in the third. That was the extent of the damage, but more than enough in this one. Hell carry a 3.24 ERA and 1.12 WHIP into his final start of the first half on Saturday against the Cubs in Chicago.
Arrieta was magnificent in Sunday’s 6-2 win over the Reds, firing off seven shutout frames while allowing just one hit. Arrieta fanned six and walked two in the brilliant outing. The lone hit he allowed on the afternoon was a Joey Votto single. This start was a quantum leap over his previous showing, when he surrendered six runs (five earned) to the Nationals in just four-plus innings of work. The right-hander will bring a 4.33 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 99/33 K/BB ratio (95 2/3 innings) into a home start against the Pirates next time he takes to the mound as he tries for a repeat of Sunday’s magnificence.
Bet Tonight’s Pirates vs. Cubs Game
OUR PREDICTION: The Pirates are just 2-5 in Nova’s last seven road starts, are 3-8 in his last 12 outings coming off four days of rest, and are 1-5 in his last seven starts versus National League Central opponents. The Cubs, meanwhile, are a perfect 4-0 in Arrieta’s last four starts. They’re also 50-23 in his last 73 outings overall and are 37-14 in his last 51 starts following a quality start in his last appearance.
SATURDAY MLB PREDICTION: CHICAGO CUBS -180