Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction MLB Picks 8/27/24

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 62-69 this year and they have won three of their last five games. Pittsburgh dropped the first game in this series and allowed 18 runs in the loss. Prior to this series, the Pirates won three out of four against the Reds, lost two out of three against the Rangers, and won two out of three against the Mariners. Pittsburgh is 4-5 in their last nine games and they are last in the NL Central. 

The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 4.04 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, and a .250 opponent batting average. The Pirates offense has scored 545 runs with a .235 batting average and a .301 on base percentage. Bryan Reynolds is batting .280 with 20 home runs and 72 RBI’s for the Pirates this season. 

Starting Pitchers

The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Justin Steele, who is 4-5 with a 3.07 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP over 123.0 innings pitched this year. Steele has allowed a total of four earned runs in his last four starts (21.2 IP). The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Jared Jones, who is 5-6 with a 3.56 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP over 91.0 innings pitched this year. Jones has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts, but has been injured since early July. 

Why the Cubs will beat the Pirates

• The Cubs have won each of their last four night games against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have lost 12 of their last 15 night games against National League opponents.
• The road team has covered the run line in eight of the last 10 games between the Cubs and Pirates.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five night games against National League opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Five of the Cubs' last six games have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Eight of the Pirates' last 10 home games have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Cubs' last three night games against National League opponents.
• The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Pirates' last five Tuesday games at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances against NL opponents.
• Oneil Cruz has recorded at least one total base in each of his last seven appearances against NL opponents.
• Connor Joe has hit a home run in each of the Pirates' last three games against the Cubs at PNC Park.
• Joey Bart has recorded at least one RBI in six of his last seven appearances at PNC Park.
• Jared Triolo has recorded at least one Single in each of the Pirates' last four games against the Cubs.
• Oneil Cruz has scored at least one run in each of his last six appearances against the Cubs at PNC Park.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances in night games against NL teams that held a losing record.
• Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one total base in each of his last nine appearances in night games against NL teams that held a losing record.
• Dansby Swanson has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances against the Pirates after playing the previous day.
• Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Cubs' last six games against the Pirates at PNC Park.
• Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one Double in four of the Cubs' last five games.
• Justin Steele has recorded seven or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one Single in each of his last nine Tuesday appearances.
• Nico Hoerner has scored at least one run in eight of his last nine appearances at PNC Park against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction 

Chicago put up 18 runs in the first game of this series on Monday night and they are all the way back up to second in the NL Central. The Cubs have played very well over the last ten games, but they are just 30-37 on the road. Pittsburgh is 32-34 at home this year and they are looking to bounce back after that blowout loss. The Pirates are activating Jared Jones from the IL for this game and he was very good before the injury, but has been out almost two months. The Cubs are going with Justin Steele, who has been great in his last four starts and he should be able to handle this Pittsburgh lineup. Take the Cubs to stay hot and pick up another win.