Wednesday, April 2, 7:05 PM

PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh - Rodriguez, W (0-1)vs. Chicago - Hammel, J (1-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Wednesday night Wandy Rodriguez will start for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Jason Hammel will get the ball for the Chicago Cubs.  Both pitchers come into this one after their first starts of the season.

Wandy Rodriguez’s first start of the season didn’t go the way that he planned it would.  He gave up 3 runs and 5 hits (including a home run) in 6 innings.  He didn’t give up any runs after the 3rd inning but by then, the damage was done and he was assured of the loss that he took.   Hopefully he will show the Cubs something different compared to that first meeting.

Last season, Rodriguez won both starts against the Cubs and that’s what made the first loss so surprising.  Chicago’s Darwin Barney will try to extend his success against Rodriguez.  Barney is batting .318 with 7 hits in 22 at-bats facing Rodriguez. 

The oft-travelled Jason Hammel started his stint with the Cubs with a 6.2 inning, 2 hit win.  Chicago marks the 4th team Hammel has pitched for since making his major league debut in 2006.  Last season, in Baltimore, Hammel went 7 – 8 (with 1 save) with an ERA of 4.97 in 23 starts and 3 relief appearances. 

In his travels, Hammel has seen many of those currently with the Pirates.  He has faced Travis Ishikawa the most but Andrew McCutchen will be of concern.  McCutchen has 3 hits, including a home run, in 12 at-bats.     

Pittsburgh Betting Trends

Pittsburgh is 1-3-2 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Pittsburgh is +1.2

Chicago Betting Trends

Chicago is 1-4-1 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Chicago is -0.5

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh

04/07/14 P Charlie Morton Thumb is upgraded to probable
03/30/14 C Chris Stewart Knee 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Jeff Locke Side 15-day DL (3/21)

Chicago

03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)
03/28/14 P Jake Arrieta Shoulder 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Kyuji Fujikawa Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago

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