Wednesday, June 11, 2014, 6:05 PM on CSCh, ROOT

PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Chicago Cubs - Hammel, J (6-3) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates - Cumpton, B (1-2)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Wednesday night, Jason Hammel gets the call for the Chicago Cubs as they face Brandon Cumpton and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hammel makes his 13th start as Cumpton makes his 6th. 

Jason Hammel got a no-decision his last time out and held his record at 6 – 3 with a 2.53 ERA.  In that outing, Hammel threw 7 shutout innings and allowed just 6 hits and a walk while striking out 8. But the scoring came too late for Hammel to get the win.  Hammel’s record at the moment almost assures him of bettering 2013’s record of 7 – 8 with a save and an ERA of 4.97 in 23 starts and 3 relief appearances.

Last season, Hammel didn’t face the Pirates but he has two starts against them this season.  In back to back starts, Hammel went 2 – 0 against Pittsburgh while allowing 4 runs on 5 hits in 13.2 innings of work.

Brandon Cumpton picked up his first win of the season in his last outing and that took his record to 1 - 2 with a 6.51 ERA.  Cumpton surrendered 3 runs on 8 hits in 5.1 innings. He walked 2 and struck out 3.  Last season, during his rookie year, Cumpton only started 5 games and appeared in a 6th as he posted a 2 - 1 record with an ERA of 2.05.

In 2013, Cumpton didn’t face the Cubs, so he comes into this game without any experience against Chicago.  He will have to rely on the scouting report to find an edge against the Cubs.   

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

Chicago Cubs are 30-27-3 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Chicago Cubs is -0.1

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Pirates are 26-30-6 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)
05/04/14 P Stolmy Pimentel Shoulder 15-day DL (5/2)

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago

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