Saturday, September 13, 2014

PNC Park in Pittsburgh

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Saturday night, Felix Doubront (3 -5, 5.43 ERA) gets the call for the Chicago Cubs as they take on Jeff Locke (7 – 4, 3.60 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Doubront will make his 13th start and 20th appearance as Locke makes his 19th start.

Felix Doubront took the loss his last time out in just his 2nd start for the Cubs since coming over from the Boston Red Sox.  In the loss, Doubront surrendered just 2 runs on 5 hits in 5 innings.  He walked 2 but struck out just 1 batter.  Doubront just didn’t get any run support and that didn’t help his cause.  He is 1 -1 in his 2 outings for Chicago and that is his record for his last 10 outings as well.  Last season, Doubront made 27 starts and 2 relief appearances for the Red Sox en route to a 11 – 6 record and a 4.32 ERA.

Doubront didn’t face the Pirates in 2013 but his last outing was against Pittsburgh.  If he can repeat that performance and get some run support, a win is possible.

Jeff Locke was sharp in his last start and his efforts translated into a win.  Locke allowed just a run on 3 hits through 7 innings of work.  He struck out 9 batters without issuing any walks.  Locke has pitched well his last few trips to the hill and is 5 -3 in his last 10 outings.  In 2013, Locke went 10 – 7 with a 3.52 ERA in 30 starts.

Last season, Locke was 1 – 0 with a 1.42 ERA in 2 starts against the Cubs.  Seven Cubs have faced Locke before but they are batting just .167 against the young lefty with 6 hits, 2 homers and 4 RBIs in 36 at-bats.          

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

Chicago Cubs are 72-67-7 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Chicago Cubs is -0.6

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Pirates are 67-70-8 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Pittsburgh Pirates is 0.2

Injuries to Watch

Chicago Cubs

09/03/14 SS Starlin Castro Ankle out for season
09/01/14 1B Anthony Rizzo Back out indefinitely
08/30/14 CF Justin Ruggiano Ankle 60-day DL (8/23), out for season
08/28/14 RF Ryan Sweeney Hamstring 60-day DL (8/26)
08/21/14 P Edwin Jackson Shoulder 15-day DL (8/21)
08/10/14 P Brian Schlitter Shoulder 15-day DL (8/9)
03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)

Pittsburgh Pirates

09/10/14 3B Pedro Alvarez Foot out indefinitely
08/18/14 P Charlie Morton Hernia 15-day DL (8/16)
08/16/14 P Stolmy Pimentel Ankle 15-day DL (8/14)

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago

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