Thursday, June 12, 2014, 6:05 PM on WGN, ROOT

PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Chicago Cubs - Samardzija, J (2-5) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates - Volquez, E (3-5)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday night, Jeff Samardzija gets the call for the Chicago Cubs as they take on Edinson Volquez and the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Samardzija makes his 14th start as Volquez makes his 13th start and 14th appearance. 

Jeff Samardzija picked up the win his last time out and that improved his record to 2 – 5 with a 2.54 ERA. In 7 innings of work, Samardzija allowed 2 runs on 5 hits (including a home run) while walking 1 and striking out 8.  If you look beyond the record and consider his other stats (low ERA, solid strikeout to walk ratio), Samardzija is having a decent season.  But it looks like he might post another year like 2013 when he went 8 - 13 with a 4.34 ERA in 33 starts. 

Last season, Samardzija was 1- 3 with a 3.00 ERA in 5 starts against the Pirates.  This year, he made his season debut against Pittsburgh and took the loss despite pitching 7 shutout innings and allowing just 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3. 

Edinson Volquez saw his record fall to 3- 5 with a 4.27 ERA after he lost his last outing. In that start, Volquez gave up 4 runs on 4 hits in 6 innings as he walked 2 and struck out 4. A second straight below .500 season seems in order for Volquez after posting a record of 9 – 12 with a 5.71 ERA in 32 starts and a relief appearance with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres in 2013.

Last season, Volquez was 1- 0 with a 12.79 ERA in 2 starts against the Cubs.  This year, Volquez opened his season with a 2 inning appearance against the Cubs where he allowed a hit while striking out 2.   

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

Chicago Cubs are 31-27-3 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Chicago Cubs is -0.2

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Pirates are 27-30-6 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Pittsburgh Pirates is -0.3

Injuries to Watch

Chicago Cubs

06/03/14 C Welington Castillo Back 15-day DL (6/1)
05/14/14 P Zac Rosscup Shoulder 15-day DL (5/13)
05/03/14 CF Ryan Sweeney Hamstring 15-day DL (5/3)
03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)
03/28/14 P Kyuji Fujikawa Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Pittsburgh Pirates

06/09/14 P Gerrit Cole Shoulder 15-day DL (6/4)
06/09/14 2B Neil Walker Appendix 15-day DL (6/9)
05/04/14 P Stolmy Pimentel Shoulder 15-day DL (5/2)

Josh's Pick: Take Pittsburgh

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