Pirates, Cubs kick off highly anticipated series
Coming off a four-game sweep of the lowly Brewers, Pittsburgh’s about to undertake a much more daunting assignment.
The Pirates, whose recent surge has propelled them into the thick of the NL playoff race, visit the MLB-best Cubs tonight. Online sports book BetDSI gives Chicago odds of -240 to hold serve at home. Clint Hurdle’s crew, on the other hand, represents a +210 underdog. The over/under run total sits at 7.5.
Over the weekend, the Buccos ambushed Milwaukee to improve to 15-10 in August. They’re doing all this without the help of Gerrit Cole, too, as the ace continues to fight through an ailing right elbow. Steven Brault (0-1, 3.60 ERA) slots into the perennial All-Star’s spot in the rotation here. He went 2-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 16 appearances for Triple-A Indianapolis.
Of course, the International League doesn’t feature mound counterparts like Jake Arrieta (16-2, 2.62). Most recently, the reigning Cy Young winner twirled eight flawless frames vs. the Padres. He’s also 9-2 with a 0.84 WHIP in 13 career meetings with Pittsburgh.
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Hurdle would be overjoyed to get five-plus innings from Brault in several hours. That’s probably pushing it, though, against the Cubbies’ scintillating lineup. Look for Chicago to lower the boom sooner rather than later.
MONDAY MLB FREE PICK: PIRATES/CUBS OVER 7.5 RUNS