Pirates vs. Cubs Pick
The Pittsburgh Pirates are big underdogs Wednesday night at 8:05PM EST when they play at the Chicago Cubs.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Cubs are a -205 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Pirates are a +175 underdog, while the over-under has not been set.
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Pittsburgh turns to Ivan Nova (11-11, 3.97 ERA) for the start, while Chicago goes with Jose Quintana (8-11, 4.49). Nova has a 1.25 WHIP with 109 strikeouts in 165 2/3 innings. He has a 4.75 road ERA in 15 starts. In his last start, Nova surrendered seven runs (five earned) on eight hits with six strikeouts and three walks over five innings in a 9-5 loss at the Reds. Quintana has a 1.30 WHIP with 162 strikeouts in 150 1/3 innings. He is coming off a poor start in a 7-1 loss at the Phillies where he allowed six earned runs on nine hits with seven strikeouts and four walks over five innings.
The Pirates have a 63-70 record and are 28-39 away from home, while the Cubs are 71-60 and 36-28 at home. The Cubs have won the first two games of the series including Tuesday’s 4-1 win and have now won six of the last 10 meetings. The total has gone under seven times.
In Tuesday’s game, Jake Arrieta threw six scoreless innings with four strikeouts to get the win. Wade Davis picked up his 27th save. Anthony Rizzo was 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run and an RBI to key the offense. Ben Zobrist was 2-for-4 with a solo home run. Jason Heyward went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Chad Kuhl allowed three earned runs over 5 1/3 innings to take the loss. John Jaso was 2-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk.
The Cubs have been excellent the first two games of the series, but this is baseball and you’re only as good as your next day’s starting pitcher. That is Quintana, who has been shaky of late and in a lot of his starts since being acquired from the crosstown White Sox. Nova is usually sufficient and even though his road numbers are significantly weaker than when he is at PNC Park, he should get some run support in this one.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: PITTSBURGH PIRATES +175