Cubs vs Pirates Odds: Chicago Likely Favorites Each Game in Series

Cubs vs Pirates Odds & Prediction

The Chicago Cubs visit the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three-game series starting Monday. The Cubs vs Pirates odds have Chicago -117 with Drew Smyly against Osvaldo Bido in Monday’s series opener. The pitching matchups should lead to the Cubs being favored in all three games. Pittsburgh still leads the Cubs by 1.5 games, but the Pirates are on a six-game losing skid. Chicago is 7-3 in its last 10 games and playing better baseball at the moment.

The MLB team stats show the Cubs No. 16 in team hitting and No. 17 in runs scored. So the Cubs are scoring about what you would expect. The pitching has been decent, as the Cubs are No. 13 in team ERA.

The Pirates are No. 19 in team batting and No. 21 in runs scored. Pittsburgh is No. 16 in pitching, so it’s been pretty average, which isn’t bad for the Pirates.

The Cubs are 33-38 on the year, but just 13-21 on the road. Pittsburgh is 34-36 on the season, going 18-16 at home and 14-20 on the road.

Monday’s Game

Smyly and the Cubs are -125 and the total on the game is 9. Chicago is 8-6 when Smyly takes the mound, allowing an average of 3.79 runs per game. The Cubs have gone 3-4 when he starts on the road and allow an average of 4.00 runs.

The Pirates lost the only start Bido has made and it came last week against Smyly and the Cubs. It’s hard to fault Bido for the loss. He allowed just one run in four innings. Smyly allowed five runs and three homers in six innings. But the Pittsburgh bullpen was brutal, allowing nine runs in four innings. Bido deserved a better fate. It was just one of several games this MLB season the Pirate relievers have given a game away.

It’s always tempting to bet on the losing pitcher in a quick rematch, especially if they pitched well. But the Pirates don’t inspire much confidence right now, even if they are 11-9 against left-handed starters. The Cubs have also seen Bido once and will make some adjustments.

Tuesday’s Game

Marcus Stroman and Johan Oviedo are the scheduled starters for Tuesday’s game. The Cubs vs Pirates odds should see Chicago go off as small favorites. This one is another quick rematch of a pitching matchup from last week. Stroman and the Cubs won 7-2.

Chicago is 9-6 when Stroman takes the hill, allowing 2.93 runs per game. The Cubs are 4-3 in his road starts. Chicago is scoring just 3.6 runs per game for Stroman, who has pitched a little better than his record would indicate. The Cubs have won his last six starts.

Oviedo hasn’t pitched badly. He hasn’t pitched well, either. The Pirates are 6-8 when he starts and are allowing 4.57 runs per game. Pittsburgh is 3-4 when he starts at home. The Pirates have lost his last two starts, being outscored 12-3.

The Cubs are probably the right side in this one provided the line isn’t above -140. Stroman and the Cubs were -150 at home last week, so the line should be in the Chicago -130 to -140 range.

Wednesday’s Game

Kyle Hendricks and Rich Hill get the start in the series finale. Although Hendricks missed nearly the first two months of the season, the Cubs vs Pirates odds should see him as a small favorite. The Cubs were roughed up in his first start of the season. But the Cubs have allowed just nine runs in his last four starts, winning three of those games.

Hill is getting up there in years, but can still throw the ball. The 43-year-old southpaw has a 6-6 record and a 4.31 ERA for the Pirates. Pittsburgh is 7-7 when he starts and 4-4 when he starts at home.

The Cubs have hit left-handed starters pretty well this season. Chicago is 12-9 when facing a southpaw and is scoring 5.57 runs per game. The Chicago bats are a bit quieter against lefties on the road. The Cubs are 6-6 and scoring 4.42 runs per game. They have lost their last three road games against left-handed starters, which makes this one a tough call.

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