Pirates vs Cubs Prediction - MLB Picks 9/20/23

Chicago Cubs (78-72) vs Pittsburgh Pirates (70-80)

Game Info: Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 7:40 pm (Wrigley Field)

Justin Steele (16-4) (3.05) vs Mitch Keller (12-9) (4.04)

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

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The Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs face off on Wednesday in an MLB showdown at Wrigley Field. On Tuesday the Cubs were able to secure the 14-1 victory.

Pirates Coming off Series Loss

The Pirates faced off against the New York Yankees over the weekend and they lost two of the three games. On Sunday, the pitching gave up only two runs and that was enough for the 3-2 victory. On Tuesday though the pitching was awful giving up 14 runs and that led to the blowout defeat. The Pirates are averaging 4.19 runs while their pitching is giving up 4.79 runs per game. The offense is ranked 24th in the league while the pitching is ranked 20th.

Pirates Betting Trends

The Pirates have won each of their last seven games as road underdogs against National League opponents following a road loss.
The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last eight road games against National League opponents following a road loss.
The Pirates have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last four night games at Wrigley Field against NL Central opponents.

Steele Needs to be Good

On the mound for the Cubs will be Justin Steele and he sits with a 16-4 record and an ERA of 2.73. In his last start against the Diamondbacks, he went six innings giving up seven hits and six runs. In the previous three starts he has given up only one run total. Steele is going to need to step up here. The Cubs are averaging 4.99 ruins while their pitching is giving up 4.42 runs per game. The offense is ranked 7th while the pitching is ranked 14th.

Cubs Betting Trends

The home team has won each of the Cubs' last six games.
The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in 11 of their last 12 night games following a win.
The Cubs have led after 3 innings in each of their last three home games against National League opponents.
The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Cubs' last six games as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
The Cubs have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last six games as favorites.

Pirates vs Cubs Facts

The Chicago Cubs rank 6th in the league for home runs allowed this season (165).
The Chicago Cubs rank 7th in the league for runs scored this season (763).
The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 27th in the league for batting average this season (.236).
The Pittsburgh Pirates rank T4th in the league for home runs allowed this season (164).

Shane’s Free Pick

Steele is going to bounce back here. Steele struggled in his last start, but in the previous three starts he’s going to lockdown here. The Pirates bats have been inconsistent this season and this is going to be a game where they are going to struggle again here. The Cubs are going to give Steele some run support and Chicago is going to get the job done here. Back the Cubs on the run line.