THe
Pittsburgh Pirates (28-42) visit the
Chicago Cubs (42-27) Friday for the second game of their 4-game series. First pitch from Wrigley Field is at 2:20 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let's analyze
BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the
Pirates vs. Cubs odds and make our expert
MLB picks and predictions for the best bets. The Pirates have won 5 of their last 7 games, but lost the series opener 3-2 on Thursday. They fell behind 3-0 and rallied for 2 runs in the seventh, but went down in order in the eighth and ninth innings. They were held to only 4 hits. SP
Andrew Heaney fell to 3-5 on the season, but had a quality start (6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 7 K). The Cubs enterd the series on Thursday having lost 3 of their last 4 games. SP
Jameson Taillon improved to 7-3, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits in 6 1/3 innings, and 3 relievers combined for 2 2/3 of hitless relief to close out the game. Offensively, they also only had 4 hits, but were powered by OF
Pete Crow-Armstrong's 18th home run and DH
Seiya Suzuki's 17th homer.
Pirates at Cubs projected starters
Skenes (4-6, 1.88 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 0.84 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 through a league-leading 91 innings. Horton (3-1, 4.11 ERA) makes his sixth career start and seventh appearance. He has a 1.30 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 7.3 K/9 through 30 2/3 innings.
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com . For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! BHQ offers full-season subscriptions. Sign up today and start winning ! Pirates at Cubs odds
Provided by
BetMGM Sportsbook ; access
USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:14 a.m. ET.
Pirates at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Skenes has been outstanding over the last several weeks, allowing a total of 4 ER (5 runs total) over his last 6 starts, but the Pirates are only 3-3 in those starts. The Pirates are 9-23 on the road this season, but are 3-4 in their last 7 away games and did not lose consecutive games on their last road trip, when they went 3-3 in Arizona and San Diego. The Cubs, though, are 21-11 at home and have won 9 of their last 10 in the "friendly confines." Horton's 4 runs allowed in his last outing were the most he has given up in a game this season. The Cubs have allowed 4 or more runs to their opponents in 4 of the last 5 games, and 4 runs will be too much against Skenes.
BET PIRATES (-105) .
Six of the Cubs' last 7 losses have been by more than 1 run, but the 3 of the Pirates' last 5 wins have been by 1 run. The Pirates are only 2-4 this season as road favorites. The plus odds are tempting, and perhaps you can sprinkle a little on the cover, but I'm staying safe and just sticking with the ML.
PASS .
Skenes' last 2 starts and 5 of his last 7 outings have not surpassed 7 total runs. Two of the 4 meetings with the Cubs this season have not surpassed 7 total runs. Five of the Pirates' last 7 wins have not reached 8 total runs. The Cubs have been held to 2 or fewer runs in their last 6 losses.
BET UNDER 7 (-110) .
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now ! For more sports betting picks and tips , check out
SportsbookWire.com and
BetFTW .
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook .
