Free MLB Pick: Pirates vs. Cubs Odds
Looking for Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs Free MLB predictions? MLB betting sees the Pirates taking on the Cubs on Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLB baseball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily MLB predictions like this Pirates-Cubs free pick.
2022 MLB Handicapping
(15-21) Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs (15-20)
Date: Wednesday, May 18th, 2022
Time: 7:40 PM ET
Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Projected Pitchers: Mitch Keller (PIT) vs. Drew Smyly (CHI)
MLB Moneyline Odds: Pirates +130 Cubs -150
MLB run line Betting Odds: Pirates +1.5 Cubs -1.5
MLB Baseball Gambling Total: O/U: 8
The Pirates will be taking on the Cubs for some night baseball at Wrigley.
The starters in this one are Mitch Keller and Drew Smyly.
Chicago is currently a good size favorite here with the total listed at 8.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Boy, it certainly has not been an enjoyable season for the Pirates in 2022. They did not think it would be, though.
Pittsburgh knows just as much as anyone that they are not a good team. Besides the money, it cannot be easy playing for a team that has been one of the worst in the league for a very long time.
With over 35 games under their belt for this season, they are right around where people thought. Actually, some would say that a 15-21 record has exceeded expectations.
Regardless, it is no mystery as to why they have not played all that well. This is a team that is flawed, poorly run and managed, and poorly constructed. When you have all of those working against you, do not expect to do a lot of winning.
The funny part is that the front office knows their team is a dumpster fire and they still do not do a whole hell of a lot to fix it. It almost seems as if they are ok with their failure, which is just an awful look.
The Buckos can talk all they want about the pipeline and the future but the reality of now is they are NOT good enough and are a long way from it. Even them being a middling team in the NL would be a stretch in my opinion.
Until they get their pitching even remotely fixed, they will keep on seeing these results. They can’t go out there with that rotation/pen and think they will be relevant.
Mitch Keller, who was supposed to be one of their guys for the “future” will get the start here. He comes into this game with a 0-5 record and a lovely ERA of 6.61.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have not been a whole lot better than their opponent but I at least feel they have some sort of direction. I at least think they have some sort of idea for the future of their team.
Listen, don’t get me wrong, they still have an awful lot of work to do to get back to where they used to be. This club being relevant is likely not realistic anytime soon.
It is fair to say there is talent on this squad but there is still quite a bit of youth and they have yet to truly develop. That is going to take some time and is part of the growing pains for any team.
Although I would not call it a top offense in the game, they do have the ability to score runs at a decent clip. Of course, they will need to bolster their lineup with some better and more experienced hitters but they are at least on the right track in that area.
As far as their pitching goes, it is not as bad as the Pirates but I also would not call it a strength of theirs. There are some talented arms mixed in there but consistency is too much of an issue.
At least for now, Chicago is going to win games primarily based on their hitters. Given who they play in that league, I do not feel you will see too many games where they got carried by that staff.
After defeating the Pirates 9-0 on Monday, they once again blanked them on Tuesday by a score of 7-0. It is hard to complain when you have outscored your opponent 16-0 in 2 games.
Keegan Thompson went 5 innings and did not allow an earned run in their last win. Although it was not a great opponent, that was a good sign from him.
MLB Baseball Betting Trends:
- The Pirates are 30-96 in their last 96 games against a left-handed starter.
- The Pirates are 19-51 in their last 70 games as a road dog.
- The Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 games on grass.
- The Cubs are 2-5 in their last 7 games as a favorite.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs MLB Prediction:
Pittsburgh has been brutal in the first two games of the series and it could be just as bad on Wednesday.
With Keller on the mound, they really cannot feel great with their chances. He is a disaster start waiting to happen.
Smyly does not have to be great here but I do feel he can be effective. If he can do that, along with their offense, Chicago should feel very good with their chances.
My play is the Cubs on the run line.
4* Free MLB Betting Pick: Cubs -1.5
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