Categories
MLB

Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Picks & MLB Handicapping Odds

Chicago vs Pittsburgh MLB Gambling Tips

The Cubs have lost 13 of their last 19 on the road, and will look to close out a four-game set against the Pirates on Thursday, by splitting the series at two games apiece.

CHC: Jeff Samardzija (R) (2-5, 2.54 ERA) v PIT: Edinson Volquez (R) (3-5, 4.27 ERA)
Date/Time: 7:05 pm ET Thursday, June 12, 2014
Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburg, PA.
Broadcast: LOCAL
Line: -115 Pirates
Total: 7

Odds From [dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

ATS Matchup Insight | CappersPicks Insider Preview

Chicago (26-37) has averaged just over 3.5 runs per game this season and has scored a total of five runs while losing the last five games that pitcher Jeff Samardzija has started against Pittsburgh. And the teams most recent loss on Wednesday to the Pirates doesn’t indicate things will be any better as they face a Pittsburgh team that has won 10 of its last 13 meetings at PNC Park.

Check out our in-house Handicapper!!! Click here to Buy Razor Ray’s MLB Baseball Picks Today!

Pittsburgh’s (31-34) hot streak has been fueled in large part by slugger Andrew McCutchen, who has carried the Pirates to two wins in the first three games of the series, clubbing a homers in all three games and going 12-for-26 with five home runs and 10 RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.

To claim their fourth straight series win against the Cubs at home, the Bucs will send Edinson Volquez to the mound on Thursday. The right-hander lost his last time out, giving up three earned runs over six innings against the Brewers. The 30-year-old is 5-0 with a 3.60 ERA in eight career starts against the Cubs.
[dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Chicago will counter with Samardzija, who posted his second win in three starts last time out. The right-hander struck out eight and allowed two runs and five hits over seven innings to beat the Marlins in his last outing, and is 3-3 with a 2.05 ERA in eight career starts versus the Pirates, who he lost to in a 1-0 defeat on Opening Day this season.

Meanwhile the Cubs lineup has been propelled in part by Luis Valbuena, who is 11-for-24 with four doubles in his past eight games

Notes

1. McCutchen’s 13 extra-base hits over his last 10 games are the most by a Pirates player in a 10-game span since Barry Bonds in 1988.
2. Cubs INF Luis Valbuena is 11-for-24 with four doubles in his past eight games.
3. The Pirates placed LHP Francisco Liriano (left oblique strain) on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday and activated RHP Stolmy Pimentel from the DL.

Betting Trends

  • Over is 9-3 in CHC last 12 overall.
  • Over is 9-3 in CHC last 12 on grass.
  • CHC are 16-36 in their last 52 road games.
  • CHC are 4-10 in the last 14 meetings.

Matt’s Free Prediction: UNDER –

The Cubs are batting just .233 as a team, 28th in the majors. The Pirates in the meantime are ranked 13th in batting average.

Both teams are up and down, and have shown flashes of greatness and then followed it up with disappointment.

With that, I am going with the total here to stay under.

What are you waiting for? Click here now to view The MLB Cappers Leaderboard For 2014 – Picks Packages for Today’s Games On Sale! —–>

By Matt Martz

Matt has returned to CappersPicks.com. The pull was too great. He missed providing his free picks and insider sports gambling analysis to his loyal readers. Please take it easy on him till he gets back into his groove. Cheers!