MLB Predictions: Will the under cash when Cubs host Pirates? 7/8/17
Will tonight’s Pirates and Cubs National League Central matchup play under the betting total at 7:15PM ET?
The Matchup: Pirates vs. Cubs, 7:15PM ET, Wrigley Field
Pittsburgh enters play with a 40-47 record overall and is 19-25 on the road, while Chicago is 43-43 and 24-18 at home. While the Pirates have split over their last 10 games, the Cubs have lost six of 10. Chicago did beat Pittsburgh on Friday afternoon, however.
According to oddsmakers, the Cubs are -179 money line favorites to win tonight at home. That makes the Pirates +169 money line underdogs. As for the total, the number hit the board at 8 and that’s where it currently sits.
Pitching Matchup: Ivan Nova (PIT) vs. Jake Arrieta (CHC)
Nova enters play with an 8-6 record and owns a 3.24 ERA on the year. He took the loss in his last outing, a 4-0 defeat in Philadelphia against the Phillies. Nova pitched six innings, allowed four runs and seven hits.
On the other side is Arrieta, who is also 8-6 but owns a 4.33 ERA this season. He earned the win against the Reds in Cincinnati in his last outing. In that game, Arrieta pitched seven stellar innings of shutout baseball while allowing just one hit. He struck out six and walked two in the process.
Our Prediction
The under is 5-0 in Nova’s last five starts and has cashed in seven of his last eight outings when he pitches the second game of a series. The under is also 15-5 in the Cubs’ last 20 games and 6-1 in their last seven games against divisional foes. Furthermore, the under is 12-1 in the Cubs’ last 13 games versus a team with a losing record and is 8-2 in their last 10 games coming off a win.
Saturday MLB Prediction: Pirates/Cubs under 8
