Pittsburgh Pirates (17-21) vs Chicago Cubs (22-16)
Game Info: Friday, May 10, 2024 at 6:40 pm (PNC Park)
Jared Jones (2-3) (2.63) vs Javier Assad (3-0) (1.66)
Betting Odds: Pittsburgh Pirates -127 / Chicago Cubs +117 --- Over/Under: 7.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ATTSN, MARQUEE
The Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Friday in MLB action from PNC Park. Here’s a Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates prediction. This will be the first installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game. We will examine:
• The Chicago Cubs recent form and player performance
• The Pittsburgh Pirates recent form and player performance
• Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Chicago Cubs
• Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Pittsburgh Pirates
• Recent betting trends in games played between the Cubs and Pirates
• A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Cubs vs Pirates game
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
The Cubs took on the San Diego Padres in their last series. Chicago didn’t have much luck in that one outside of a 3-2 Tuesday victory. The Cubs would fall in the opener 6-3 and in Wednesday’s finale 3-0. In the game three defeat Chicago managed just one hit, courtesy of Yan Gomes. Starter Hayden Wesneski went 6.0 innings with three earned on seven hits and a walk.
In the starting pitcher slot for the Friday opener, the Cubs are going with Javier Assad. This year Assad is 3-0 with a 1.66 ERA in seven starts. He’s struck out 31 in 38.0 frames. Over his career Assad is 10-5 with a 2.77 ERA in 48 games (25 starts).
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
Over on the Pittsburgh side, they’re fresh off a series versus the Los Angeles Angels. The Pirates won the opener of that set 4-1, then took a 9-0 blowout loss in game two. In the Wednesday rubber match the Pirates fell in a tough result 5-4. Oneil Cruz led the way on offense with two hits, three RBI and a run in the defeat.
As starter for Friday’s matchup, the Pirates are going with Jared Jones. This year (his first MLB season), Jones is 2-3 with a 2.63 ERA in seven starts. Jones has 52 Ks in 41.0 innings total.
Cubs vs Pirates Injury Notes
Cubs SP Kyle Hendricks (back) will make another rehab start at Triple-A Iowa on Sunday. SS Dansby Swanson was out of Thursday’s lineup versus the Mets.
Pirates SP Johan Oviedo (arm) is expected to receive clearance to resume throwing within the next week.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Bryan Reynolds has hit a home run in each of the Pirates' last two games as favorites against the Cubs.
- Bryan Reynolds has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Pirates' last four games as favorites against the Cubs.
- Andrew McCutchen has recorded at least one Single in seven of his last eight home appearances against the Cubs after not playing the previous day.
- Joey Bart has recorded a Double in each of his last three appearances with his team as a favorite against NL Central opponents.
- Yasmani Grandal has scored at least one run in each of his last nine appearances in night games against teams that held a winning record.
- Yasmani Grandal has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
- Yasmani Grandal has recorded at least one total base in each of his last 12 appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Cody Bellinger has hit a home run in each of his last three appearances in night games.
- Ian Happ has scored at least one run in each of the Cubs' last six games against the Pirates.
- Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one RBI in seven of his last eight appearances.
- Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one Single in each of his last 13 Friday appearances with the Cubs as underdogs.
- Ian Happ has recorded a Double in four of the Cubs' last five games as underdogs against the Pirates.
- Seiya Suzuki has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 road appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Seiya Suzuki has recorded at least one total base in each of his last 10 road appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Javier Assad ranks 4th amongst qualified players for Earned Run Average (1.66) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Pirates rank 29th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.329).
- The Pittsburgh Pirates rank T28th in the league for home runs this season (27).
- The Chicago Cubs rank T2nd in the league for triples this season (9).
- The Chicago Cubs rank T6th in the league for walks this season (138).
Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction
I’ll try the Cubs in this one. Assad has been pitching well lately. In his last three starts Assad is 1-0 with just two earned over 16.2 innings of work on 13 hits and four walks. As for Jones, he’s coming off 7.0 clean frames in a no-decision versus the Rockies, giving up just one hit and no walks.
The Cubs scored a tepid six runs in three games during the Padres series, so they’ll need to get the bats going for this one. We should have a fun series in store here. Chicago should get a quality start out of Assad, so if the pen can hang on I think they’ll have a good shot.
Andrew’s Pick Chicago Cubs +117
AUTHOR: Andrew Jett
