Can Pirates’ Liriano contain Cubs again?
Chicago’s far from facing a deluge of adversity. It does, however, desire to resume those winning ways vs. a division rival.
The best team in the majors opens a three-game series against the Pirates this afternoon, with a 2:20 p.m. ET first pitch at Wrigley Field. Online sports book Bovada.lv predicts the Cubs’ two-game skid will come to an end, listing them as 1.5-run favorites. The visitors, on the other hand, enter as +140 underdogs.
Joe Maddon’s bunch absorbed a surprising doubleheader sweep Wednesday at the hands of San Diego. It’s up to Jason Hammel (4-0, 1.85 ERA) to re-establish the tone on the mound in several hours. Most recently, the righty surrendered a season-high three runs in five innings of an 8-5 victory.
Despite Hammel’s impressive work through a month-plus of action, though, Clint Hurdle counters with a lefty who’s even hotter. Francisco Liriano (3-1, 3.60) has permitted three runs across 13 2/3 frames in securing two straight verdicts over the Cubbies. Moreover, he’s 4-1 with a 1.56 ERA in five career appearances at the Friendly Confines.
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Pittsburgh (18-15) should also feel buoyed by the events of two nights ago. The Buccos overcame the ejections of Hurdle and star left fielder Starling Marte to storm past Cincinnati, 5-4, in the waning stages. With the win, they moved to seven games behind Chicago (25-8) in the National League Central race.
Liriano’s 5-2 mark with a 2.27 ERA in 11 overall meetings with the Cubs can’t be ignored. Then again, Hammel probably isn’t receiving enough credit for shouldering the rotation load behind Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester in the Windy City. Thus, bank on a brisk pitching duel on the North Side.
FRIDAY MLB FREE PICK: PIRATES/CUBS UNDER 8 RUNS
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