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Free MLB Pick: Cubs vs Pirates Odds
Looking for Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates free plays? MLB betting sees the Cubs taking on the Pirates on Monday, May 2nd at PNC Park . Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLB baseball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily MLB predictions.
(17-6) Chicago Cubs vs. (15-10) Pittsburgh Pirates
Date: Monday, May 2, 2016
Time: 7:05 PM ET
Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Projected Pitchers: Jason Hammel vs. Gerrit Cole
MLB Moneyline Odds: Pirates -108, Cubs -100
MLB RunLine Betting Odds: Pirates -1.5, +197
MLB Betting Total: 7
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These are the top two team in the NL Central and Pittsburgh has a great shot to eat into the three game lead that the Cubs have this week. These teams which finished a game apart a year ago have yet to meet in in 2016.
The Pirates look to have the advantage with their ace on the hill to start the series at home. Both teams are playing very good ball.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs lost on Sunday to Atlanta, killing the momentum they would have liked to have had heading into this important series. Still this team has the best record in the Majors and has been even better on the road than at home.
Chicago is the top scoring teams in the Majors and has the league’s best ERA. That makes them very tough to beat.
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Jake Arrieta may have the pub but Jason Hammel has the best ERA on the team right now at 0.75. He is not nearly as imposing but he has yet to serve up a homer this season and hasn’t given up too many hits either.
He can’t keep this up but who knows when he will get back to a more normal level.
In comparison to their starters the Cubs bullpen has been a flop with a 2.87 ERA and .183 BAA. This may not be the true strength of the team but they are getting the job done and are not being forced to work in too many high leverage situations.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates have been up and down this year but they are currently up having won eight of their last ten ballgames. That success has been surprisingly driven by an offense that is fifth in runs heading into this series.
It is no surprise that it has been the outfield that has driven this, Starling Marte is leading the team in hitting and is tops in NL in stolen bases so far. Andrew McCutcheon is not hitting for a great average but leads the team in homers with 5.
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It has taken a few starts but Gerrit Cole seems to be rounding into form. He has given up just 2ER over his last couple of outings and now needs to focus on working deeper into ballgames the way an ace should.
He is exactly the guy you want to start an important series.
The Pirates pen has been working hard – second in relief innings this season – but they have not been as effective as they were a year ago.
On every measure this groups needs to improve its performance if the Pirates are to have a chance of keeping pace with the Cubs.
MLB Baseball Betting Trends:
- Over is 6-1-2 in CHC last 9 overall.
- Over is 6-1-2 in CHC last 9 on grass.
- Over is 6-2 in CHC last 8 Mon. games.
- Over is 14-5 in PIT last 19 overall.
- Over is 14-5 in PIT last 19 on grass.
- Over is 19-7 in PIT last 26 games following a loss.
Free Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates MLB Prediction:
This is a huge series. Despite the Cubs strong start they will be tied with Pittsburgh if they get swept on the road. Hammel has been brilliant but it is hard to envision him keeping this up, April has always been one of his best months.
Cole seems to be building strength and Pittsburgh seems like the sharper play in game one.
4* Free MLB Betting Pick: Pittsburgh -108
The Pirates know that if they want to be in the race they have to beat the good teams on their schedule. They swept the Cardinals to start April and now will look to do the same to the Cubs in May. Take them at home.
MLB Free Score Prediction: Pittsburgh 5 – Chicago 2
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