Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Prediction MLB Picks 5/19/24

• Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Pittsburgh Pirates

• Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Chicago Cubs

• Recent betting trends in games played between the Pirates and Cubs

• A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Pirates vs Cubs game

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pirates played the Milwaukee Brewers in their last series. Pittsburgh won 8-6 in the Monday game, then dropped the next pair 4-3 and 10-2. The Pirates got better with wins 5-4 and 9-3 over the Cubs in their first two games. On Saturday Pittsburgh gave up just five hits in a tough loss 1-0. Bailey Falter went 7.2 clean frames in the start with three hits, two walks and two Ks.

In the starting pitcher role for the Sunday finale, the Pirates will send out Mitch Keller. This year Keller is 4-3 with a 3.93 ERA and 51 Ks in 55.0 innings over nine starts. Keller is 29-41 with a 4.63 ERA in 111 career games (109 starts).

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

Over on the Cubs’ side, they played the Atlanta Braves this week. Chicago lost the first two games of that set in shutout fashion 2-0 and 7-0, then staved off the sweep with a 7-1 victory in the finale. On Saturday in game three the Cubs got the walk-off RBI from Christopher Morel, scoring Cody Bellinger (two hits). Starter Shota Imanaga posted 7.0 innings with four hits and a walk.

It’ll be Jameson Taillon in the starting pitcher role for the Cubs on Sunday. So far this year Taillon is 3-1 with a 1.61 ERA and 18 Ks in 28.0 innings over five starts. Taillon is 62-46 with a 3.93 ERA in 178 career games (177 starts).

Pirates vs Cubs Injury Notes

Pirates 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes (back) will resume baseball activities on Monday.

Cubs 2B Nico Hoerner (hamstring) was not in the starting lineup Saturday. RP Drew Smyly (hip) will likely begin a rehab assignment next week.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Cody Bellinger has recorded an RBI in seven of his last eight appearances with the Cubs as favorites.
• Cody Bellinger has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Cubs' last six games as home favorites against the Pirates.
• Seiya Suzuki has scored at least one run in eight of his last nine appearances with the Cubs as favorites.
• Jameson Taillon has recorded six or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances against NL Central opponents.
• Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances with the Cubs as home favorites.
• Dansby Swanson has hit a home run in two of his last three home appearances against the Pirates.
• Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one Single in 10 of his last 11 appearances against the Pirates at Wrigley Field.
• Jameson Taillon has recorded a win in each of his last four appearances at Wrigley Field.
• Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one Double in each of the Cubs' last four games as home favorites against the Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Andrew McCutchen has hit a home run in two of his last three road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• Yasmani Grandal has recorded at least one RBI in six of his last eight road appearances against NL opponents that held a winning record.
• Oneil Cruz has scored at least one run in each of his last four appearances with the Pirates as underdogs against the Cubs.
• Jack Suwinski has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates' last nine Sunday day games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Mitch Keller has recorded six or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight appearances against NL Central opponents.
• Mitch Keller has recorded a win in each of his last three appearances with the Pirates as underdogs against the Cubs.
• Ke'Bryan Hayes has recorded at least one Single in each of his last six Sunday day appearances.
• Ke'Bryan Hayes has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last five appearances in day games against teams that held a winning record.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Prediction

I’ll stick with the Cubs here. Taillon should be able to power out a quality start if he’s on point. Over his last three outings combined, Taillon is 1-1 with just three earned in 17.1 total innings on 13 hits and six walks. As for Keller, he’s been great as well with just one earned run in his last 15.0 innings. This should be a fun starter matchup.

On Saturday the Cubs emerged victorious in a tense pitchers’ battle. The hits were hard to come by; Bellinger had two of the five. Chicago has one run or fewer in three of the last six games so it’d be nice to see the offense turn in a good performance on Sunday.