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 Saturday, May 8 at Wrigley Field. 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.
2021 MLB Handicapping
(13-17) Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs (15-16)
Date: Saturday, May 8, 2021
Time: 2:20 PM ET
Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
Projected Pitchers: Crowe (PIT), Williams (CHC)
MLB Moneyline Odds: Pirates +155 | Cubs -175
MLB RunLine Betting Odds: Off
MLB Baseball Gambling Total: Off
Pittsburgh Pirates
Wil Crowe will once again make a start for Pittsburgh in search of his first big league victory.
The 26-year-old right-hander came over from Washington in a trade for Josh Bell in December. He went 0–2 in three starts for the Nats last season — his first in the majors.
This season, Crowe made an early relief appearance and then didn’t appear for the Pirates again until late last month, when he made his first start.
He got through four innings and allowed just four hits and one run. He went five innings and gave up three hits and three runs on Sunday against St. Louis. He has eight walks this season, compared to seven strikeouts.
The Pirates have lost seven of their last eight after a defeat in the opener at Wrigley Field on Friday but they were 3–3 in the six prior games against the Cubs this season.
Chicago Cubs
With the win on Friday afternoon, the Cubs pulled back to the .500 mark through their first 32 games this season.
The offense has been a tad better than average (102 OPS+ as a team) but the pitching has been bad (an 84 ERA+ as a staff).
Trevor Williams has an ERA of 6.00 in his first six starts as a Cub, having surrendered 33 hits in 27 innings.
Williams signed with Chicago as a free agent after five seasons in Pittsburgh that concluded with the Pirates designating him for assignment after giving up a league-leading 15 home runs in 55 innings and going 2–8 last season.
Williams’ home run numbers are only slightly better so far this season but his WHIP is even worse; it’s the highest it’s been since his first try at the big leagues in 2016.
MLB Betting Trends:
- Pittsburgh has lost seven of eight.
- Pittsburgh has scored six runs in its last five games combined.
- Pittsburgh has given up 13 runs in its last five games combined.
- Chicago has won four in a row.
- Chicago is 12–7 at home this season.
- Chicago is 5–5 against the NL Central so far this season.
Free Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs MLB Prediction: Williams wins.
You have to like Williams going up against his former club, even if he isn’t throwing the ball great so far this season. If there’s one spot he should deliver in, it’s this one.
Crowe hasn’t been bad in his two starts, having given up only seven hits in nine innings, but the walks are a concern. Perhaps the only reason he’s limited the hits is because he has been timid around the strike zone.
The Cubs sluggers will make him pay if he tries to get more aggressive. They are patient enough to make him come to them.
4* Free MLB Betting Pick: Cubs -1.5
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