Pittsburgh Pirates (60-67) vs Chicago Cubs (63-65)
Game Info: Monday, August 26, 2024 at 6:40 pm (PNC Park)
Mitch Keller (11-7) (3.76) vs Jameson Taillon (8-8) (3.77)
Betting Odds: Pittsburgh Pirates -110 / Chicago Cubs -110 --- Over/Under: 8.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Monday in MLB action from PNC Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Chicago Cubs will send out Jameson Taillon here and Taillon is 8-8 with a 3.77 ERA and 101 strikeouts this season. In his career, Taillon is 1-2 with a 6.19 ERA and 13 strikeouts against Pittsburgh. Mitch Keller will get the start for the Pirates and is 11-7 with a 3.76 ERA and 134 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against the Cubs, Keller is 3-1 with a 5.16 ERA and 24 strikeouts.
Chicago Cubs Recap
The Chicago Cubs come into this one looking to rebound after failing to complete the sweep of the Miami Marlins thanks to a 7-2 loss in Sunday’s series finale. Despite the loss on Sunday though, the Cubs managed to win a third straight series after taking out the Tigers and Blue Jays prior to the series win over the Fish.
Cubs Trying To Squeeze Into NL Playoff Chase
Cody Bellinger has 108 hits including 20 doubles, 13 home runs and 52 RBIs. Nico Hoerner has 119 hits, 26 doubles and a .253 batting average. Michael Busch has 16 homers with 49 RBIs but has 139 strikeouts as well this season. Ian Happ also has a team-high 29 doubles with 23 home runs and 72 RBIs but also has 139 strikeouts this season. Seiya Suzuki’s also chipped in 18 homers and 60 RBIs this season.
Why the Chicago Cubs will win
- The Cubs have won each of their last four games as road underdogs against the Pirates.
- The Pirates have lost each of their last six games against the Cubs following a home win.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in 12 of their last 13 games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents following a loss.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
Pittsburgh Pirates Recap
The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this series trying to build on their series win over the Reds this past weekend after a 4-3 win over Cincinnati in Sunday’s series finale. The win in the series for Pittsburgh helped the Buccos bounce back from a series loss to the Rangers to start the week.
Pirates Trying To Climb Back To .500
Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with 141 hits with 24 doubles along with 19 home runs and 71 RBIs while Andrew McCutchen has 16 home runs and Michael A. Taylor has 12 stolen bases. Oneil Cruz has 17 stolen bases and 151 strikeouts while also posting 29 doubles, 18 home runs and 63 RBIs and Connor Joe has a .231 batting average and 21 doubles as well this season. Ke’Bryan Hayes also has 11 stolen bases as well this season.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Pirates have won each of their last six Monday home games.
- The Cubs have lost eight of their last nine Monday games.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last six games against the Cubs.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six Monday games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
Cubs vs. Pirates Prediction
I’m on the Pirates here. I get the allure of backing the Cubs off of their third straight series win, but Taillon has been more of a detriment than a help to his team’s success in recent starts and I think the Pirates can get to him for a few runs here. On the other side, Keller’s had some bumps, but he’s been far stronger at home this season and the Pirates bullpen has been really solid in the last couple of weeks as well. All in all I have to side with Pittsburgh at home in this one.
Chris’s Pick Pittsburgh -110
AUTHOR: Chris Ruffolo
Mitch's Take...
