Cubs vs Pirates Prediction - MLB Picks 8/26/23

Pittsburgh Pirates (58-71) vs Chicago Cubs (67-61)

Game Info: Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 7:15 pm (PNC Park)

Colin Selby (1-0) (7.27) vs Javier Assad (2-1) (3.13)

Betting Odds: Pittsburgh Pirates -109 / Chicago Cubs -109 --- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds

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The Pittsburgh Pirates will host the Chicago Cubs for game one of their divisional series this Saturday from PNC Park on FOX. Pittsburgh struck back with a one-run victory in game two, 2-1.

Cubs Preview & Projected Starter

Chicago comes in at 67-61 after falling to Pittsburgh. The Cubs had their rally cut short after being silenced for eight innings, and they’ll look to bounce back Saturday. The Chicago offense is scoring 4.12 runs per game, while batting .243, with a .323 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.18 ERA, with a 1.28 WHIP.

Javier Assad (2-2, 3.13 ERA, 53 Ks) will get the call for Chicago. The second-year pitcher has taken on an extended role over the past three weeks. Assad pitched well in Detroit last week, holding the Tigers to two runs thru 5.1 innings, and he’ll look for more success on the road here in Pittsburgh.

Cubs Player Trends & Props

• Cody Bellinger has produced a run in five of the last six games, and he’s leading the Cubs in batting (.316), home runs (20) and RBI (65).

• Dansby Swanson has scored a run in four of the previous five games, and he’s posting splits of .245/19/64.

• Nico Hoerner had multiple hits in the game one win, produced a and he leads the Cubbies in hits (138) and RBI (62).

• Ian Happ has recorded a hit in nine of his last ten games, and he’s posting a kind of .241/15/60.

• Jeimer Canderlario has plated a run in three of the last four games, and he’s batting .270 for the season, with 18 homers and 61 RBI.

Pirates Preview & Projected Starter

Pittsburgh comes in at 58-71 after taking two of three from St. Louis at home. The Pirates got a great effort from Mitch Keller to get back into the column last night, and they’ll look to take control of the series here in game three. The Pittsburgh offense is scoring 4.11 runs per game, while batting .235, with a .320 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.50 ERA, with a 1.38 WHIP.

Colin Shelby (1-0, 7.27 ERA, 13 Ks) is set to open for Pittsburgh. The rookie Randolph-Macon product has held teams to one run or less in five of his first seven appearances, and he’ll look to get the Bucs off to a good start here Saturday.

Pirates Player Trends & Props

• Bryan Reynolds has doubled in four of the previous six games, and he’s first on the team in hits (120), with splits of .264/18/62.

• Andrew McCutchen produced a run via SAC fly in the game two win, and he’s posting a line of .254/12/39.

• Ke’Bryan Hayes has scored a run in four straight games, and he’s batting .259, with 46 RBI for the season.

• Connor Joe has plated a run in four of the last five games, and he’s batting .255, with 33 runs batted in.

• Jack Suwinski leads the club in home runs (21), with 54 RBI.

Corey’s Free Pick

Mitch Keller dealt a gem last night to even the series for Pittsburgh, and in return, we may see Chicago come out swinging on Saturday. The Cubs nearly stole game two in the ninth, and with the division lead still well within reach, I feel good about the Cubbies getting back in the win column here. Javier Assad’s recent form provides optimism, and the Cubs have only dropped consecutive games once this month. Back Chicago for this division battle.