The Chicago Cubs play the third game of a four-game series on the road Saturday versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Chicago improved to 65-85 following its 3-2 victory over Pittsburgh in the opening game of the series on Thursday. Chicago has won three straight and seven of the last 10 but the Cubs are 22 .5 games behind first place in the National League Central and have been eliminated from postseason contention.'
Shortstop Nico Hoerner is batting .291 to lead Chicago while third baseman Patrick Wisdom is the leader in home runs with 23. Left fielder Ian Happ is the leader in RBIs with 69 and hits with 143. Catcher Willson Contreras is the leader in on-base percentage at .351. On Saturday, the Chicago Cubs will send Wade Miley to the mound. The left-hander is 1-1 with a 3.48 ERA, 25 Ks and 13 BBs.
Pittsburgh dropped to 55-95 following its one-run loss to Chicago in the opening game of the series on Friday. The Pirates have lost seven straight and are last in the National League Central, 32 .5 games behind first place. The Pirates are next to last in team batting average at .220 and 27th in team ERA. Pittsburgh has been eliminated from postseason contention.
Center fielder Bryan Reynolds is batting .263 to lead Pittsburgh and has team highs in home runs with 24, RBIs with 57, hits with 132 and an on-base percentage of .342. Oneil Cruz is second in home runs with 17 and in RBIs with 51. On Saturday, the Pittsburgh Pirates will send Johan Oviedo to the mound. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 3.75 ERA, 42 Ks and 21 BBs.
Recent Betting Trends
- Chicago is 2-7 in its last 9 versus an opponent from the NL Central
- The UNDER has cashed in 12 of the Cubs last 15
- Pittsburgh is 4-1 in its last 5 versus an opponent from the NL Central
- The OVER has cashed in 5 of the Pirates last 7
Free MLB Pick:
Pittsburgh Pirates +100