The Chicago Cubs are set to face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates this Tuesday at the iconic Wrigley Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET.
The Cubs enter the matchup as -116 moneyline favorites, with an anticipated total score of 6.5 runs.
Pittsburgh (63-73 SU, 73-63 RL, and 65-67-4 O/U) will send rookie right-hander Paul Skenes to the mound. The 22-year-old has impressed with an 8-2 record, a 2.23 ERA, and a 0.95 WHIP across 18 appearances this season.
Meanwhile, Chicago (71-66 SU, 66-71 RL, and 63-69-5 O/U) will rely on left-hander Justin Steele, who boasts a 5-5 record, a 3.09 ERA, and a 1.09 WHIP in his 22 starts this year.
Sports analyst Michael Briggs is currently enjoying a remarkable 22-7 betting streak. His subscription packages can be found on his premium package page. Stay updated on his insights by following him on Twitter!
*This article was published prior to the end of Monday’s game.
Pirates’ Skenes Shines on the Road
Pittsburgh recently dropped two of three games against Cleveland, leaving them with a 31-37 record on the road this season and only 15-25 since the All-Star break. The question remains: can they finish the month strong?
The Pirates’ offense is led by left fielder Bryan Reynolds, who has hit 21 home runs and sports an .807 OPS. Other key contributors include center fielder Oneil Cruz with 18 homers and a .799 OPS, and designated hitter Andrew McCutchen, who has 17 home runs and a .753 OPS. Despite their individual successes, Pittsburgh ranks low in on-base percentage (26th at .302) and OPS (25th at .675). Their pitching staff has a collective 4.14 ERA, placing them 17th in the league.
Taking the mound for the Pirates, Skenes has been exceptional in his seven road starts, posting a 3-1 record with a 1.66 ERA and 0.78 WHIP. In a recent matchup against the Cubs, he went five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out six. His previous encounter with Chicago on May 11 saw him surrender three runs on six hits in four innings, demonstrating the challenges he faces against this lineup. With a striking 136:26 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 109 total innings, Skenes has proven to be a formidable opponent.
For those looking to capitalize on baseball opportunities, MLB Free Picks are available.
Cubs Riding a Winning Wave
The Cubs have been on a roll, winning their last two series against Miami and Washington, along with a recent series against Pittsburgh, winning nine of their last ten games. They hold a 36-29 record at home this season and an impressive 24-15 record in the second half of the season. The critical question is whether they can maintain this momentum throughout September.
Chicago’s offense is powered by left fielder Ian Happ, who has hit 23 home runs with an .807 OPS, right fielder Seiya Suzuki with 19 home runs and an .839 OPS, and first baseman Michael Bush, contributing 16 home runs with a .775 OPS. The Cubs rank 12th in on-base percentage (.316) and 14th in OPS (.710), while their pitching staff has a strong 3.79 ERA, ranking 7th in the league.
On Tuesday, Steele will take the hill for the Cubs. He recently performed well against the Pirates, allowing two runs over six innings with six strikeouts. In their earlier May meeting, he struggled, conceding six runs in four innings. This season, Steele has a 3.43 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 11 home starts, with an impressive 131:34 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 128 total innings.
Strategic Bets for Pirates vs. Cubs
This betting strategy focuses on the in-form Cubs, who are expected to capitalize at the plate against Skenes, marking their third encounter with him in under a week. Chicago scored an impressive 41 runs against Pittsburgh last week and continued their offensive prowess with 26 runs against Washington over the weekend. They have consistently scored six or more runs in eight of their last ten games. If Skenes struggles to contain this lineup, the Pirates’ bullpen, which ranks fourth in ERA, is likely to face significant challenges.
Steele has been outstanding in August, boasting a 2.03 ERA and 1.01 WHIP, featuring a 33:7 strikeout-to-walk ratio over five appearances. He has a commendable 2.71 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in night games this season. In contrast, the Pirates have struggled offensively on the road, with a .233 batting average and a .660 OPS thus far in 2024. Therefore, placing a bet on Steele to outperform Skenes on Tuesday night appears to be a sound strategy!
