Cubs vs. Pirates Prediction
Will the Pirates get to John Lackey today at PNC Park and win their series versus the Cubs at 1:35PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Pirates are -107 money line favorites versus the Cubs, who have odds of -103 to pull off what would be a small upset in Pittsburgh. With Lackey set to face Jameson Taillon in the pitching matchup, the over/under currently sits at 9 runs.
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From Rotoworld: Lackey wasn’t at his best on Monday, serving up three home runs in a losing effort against the Mets in New York. The veteran right-hander allowed four runs on six hits and a pair of walks over his five innings of work. All of the damage against him was done via the long ball, with Asdrubal Cabrera swatting a pair of solo homers and Jay Bruce adding a two-run blast. Now 4-7 on the season, Lackey will carry a disappointing 5.26 ERA and 1.38 WHIP into Sunday’s start against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
Taillon was impressive in his return to the big league mound on Monday, scattering five hits over five shutout innings in a victory over the Rockies. Taillon whiffed five on the night while issuing two free passes. He returned to the hill just five weeks after undergoing surgery for testicular cancer and looked as though he didn’t miss a beat. Now 3-1 on the year, he’ll bring a 2.90 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with him into Sunday’s matchup against the defending World Champion Cubs.
Bet Today’s Cubs vs. Pirates Game
OUR PREDICTION: The Cubs have dropped 10 of their last 12 games on the road, are 2-8 in their last 10 road games versus a right-handed starter, and have lost four of Lackey’s last five starts overall. The Pirates, meanwile, are 9-4 in Taillon’s last 13 home starts, have won 15 of his last 22 outings overall, and are 4-1 in their last five games played on Sunday.
SUNDAY MLB PREDICTION: PITTSBURGH PIRATES -107