Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs odds, picks and predictions

The Pittsburgh Pirates (70-80) open a 3-game series against the Chicago Cubs (78-72) on Tuesday at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Pirates vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Cubs lead 9-1

The Pirates defeated the New York Yankees 3-2 Sunday to snap a 2-game losing streak. Pittsburgh is 5-5 in its last 10 games and is 8 games back of Chicago for the final NL Wild Card spot with 12 games remaining.

The Cubs lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-2 on Sunday, handing them their 5th consecutive loss. Chicago is currently tied with the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL Wild Card spot and is 6 games back of the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers in the division.

Pirates at Cubs projected starters

TBD vs. RHP Javier Assad

The Pirates starting pitcher is unannounced at the time of publication.

Assad (3-3, 3.10 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 1.25 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9 and 6.7 K/9 through 95 2/3 IP.

Last start: No decision, 3 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 4 K in 6-4 road loss vs. Colorado Rockies last Tuesday
2023 home stats: 0-3, 3.71 ERA (51 IP, 21 ER) in 4 starts and 12 relief appearances
Career vs. Pirates: 1-0, 3.27 ERA (11 IP, 4 ER) in 2 starts

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

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 12:02 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Pirates +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Cubs -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates +1.5 (-160) | Cubs -1.5 (+135)
Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Pirates at Cubs picks and predictions

Prediction

Cubs 6, Pirates 4

Moneyline

Even with Chicago struggling recently, I’ll back the CUBS (-150) at home against the Pirates. The Cubs have won 9 of the first 10 meetings against their division rivals this season.

Run line/Against the spread

CUBS -1.5 (+135) has fantastic value as it has yet to be announced who will start for the Pirates on the mound. The Cubs have won by at least 2 runs in 8 of their 9 wins against the Pirates this season.

Chicago is also 41-34 at home compared to Pittsburgh producing a 32-40 record on the road this season.

Over/Under

With Assad making another start for the Cubs, and the Pirates likely rolling out a mediocre pitcher on Tuesday, OVER 9 (-105) is the play in this contest. The Over is 7-3 in the first 10 meetings between these teams this season.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Skyler Carlin on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.