Friday, September 5, 2014

Wrigley Field in Chicago

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Friday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates will send Vance Worley (6 - 4, 3.01 ERA) to the hill to take on the Chicago Cubs and Tsuyoshi Wada (4 - 2, 2.79 ERA). Worley makes his 14^th start and 15^th appearance as Wada makes his 10^th start.

Vance Worley shook off his 3 game losing streak by getting the win his last time out. In a 6.1 inning effort, Worley surrendered 2 runs on 3 hits (including a homer) while walking 2 and striking out 4. Worley had been on a roll before the losing streak but he still has a 4 - 3 record in his last 10 starts. Last season, Worley posted a record of 1 - 5 with a 7.21 ERA in 10 starts for the Minnesota Twins.

Worley didn't face the Cubs in 2013 but he did face them earlier this season. In that start, Worley got his 1^st win of the year after holding Chicago to 3 runs and 5 hits (including a home run) in 6.2 innings.

Tsuyoshi Wada saw his 3 game win streak end after taking the loss in his last start. In defeat, Wada gave up 4 runs and 5 hits (including a homer) in 6 innings. He walked 3 and struck out 3. It was just the 2^nd time in 9 starts that Wada allowed more than 2 runs in an outing. Before getting the call, Wada was 10 - 6 with a 2.77 ERA in 18 starts and a relief appearance at Triple-A Iowa.

Wada has never faced the Pirates but with the help of a good scouring report, he should be able to rebound from his recent defeat.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Pirates are 64-67-8 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Pittsburgh Pirates is 0.1

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

Chicago Cubs are 69-64-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Chicago Cubs is -0.3

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh Pirates

09/03/14 3B Pedro Alvarez Foot questionable
09/03/14 RF Travis Snider Hamstring questionable
08/18/14 P Charlie Morton Hernia 15-day DL (8/16)
08/16/14 P Stolmy Pimentel Ankle 15-day DL (8/14)

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)

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago

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