Wednesday, October 7, 2015

PNC Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Jake Arrieta (22-6) vs. Gerrit Cole (19-8)

The Pittsburgh Pirates welcome the Chicago Cubs to PNC Park on Wednesday for the National League Wild Card game. Jake Arrieta is the starter for the Cubs and he'll face Gerrit Cole of the Pirates. The opening line for this matchup has Chicago at -110 and Pittsburgh at +100. The over/under was set at 6. The Cubs have a 71-81 over/under record and a 81-81 run line mark, meaning they cover 50% of the time. The Pirates are 73-89 against the run line and have a 75-75 over/under record. They cover the spread 45% of the time.

The Cubs show up with a 97-65 record, including 48-33 on the road. Jake Arrieta has an earned run average of 1.77 and is 22-6 so far on the season while having a 0.86 WHIP. In his starts, the Cubs are 25-8 over his 229 innings pitched this season while giving up 150 hits during those innings. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 8-19. He is getting 4.2 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 3.38 and they've given up 450 hits on the season. The bullpen has struck out 511 and walked 183 batters this season while opposing teams hit .230 against them. Chicago has a team average of 7.86 hits allowed per game and are averaging 8.81 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.36, they are 3rd in the league.

As a team, Chicago is batting .244, good for 29th in the league while putting together a .251 average away from home. Ranked at 12th in the league in on-base percentage, the Cubs sit at .321 and they hold a .398 team slugging percentage. With 163 hits, Anthony Rizzo leads the team while his team ranks 28th in hits per game with 8.28.

Pittsburgh is 53-28 at home while holding a 98-64 overall record on the season. Gerrit Cole is starting this game 19-8 for the season with an earned run average of 2.60 and a WHIP of 1.09. In his starts, the Pirates are 23-9 and he has allowed 183 hits over 208 innings pitched this season. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 12-18. He is getting 3.8 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 2.67 and they have given up 452 hits on the season. The Pirates bullpen has struck out 462 batters and walked 160 this season while opposing teams have hit .231 against them. Pittsburgh has a team average of 8.41 hits per game and are averaging 8.08 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.23, they are 2nd in the league.

As a team, they are batting .260, good for 9th in the league while putting together a .259 average at home. Ranked at 9th in the league in on-base percentage, the Pirates sit at .323 and they hold a .396 team slugging percentage. With 166 hits, Starling Marte leads the team while his team ranks 8th in hits per game with 9.02.

The Cubs have committed 111 errors and have combined for 1,669 assists and 4,384 put outs leading to a .982 team fielding percentage. Over the course of this season, the Pirates have accumulated 122 errors while having 1,868 assists and 4,469 put outs leading to a .981 fielding percentage.

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 71-81 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 81-81 against the run line so far this season

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 75-75 against the over/under so far this season

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 73-89 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Chicago Cubs

08/25/15 P Jason Motte Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/24)
07/29/15 P Neil Ramirez Abdominal Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/29)
04/06/15 P Jacob Turner Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Pittsburgh Pirates

09/17/15 SS Jung Ho Kang Knee Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (9/21); out for season
09/02/15 P Casey Sadler Forearm Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (9/1)
08/08/15 P Deolis Guerra Knee Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (8/7)
07/19/15 CF Gorkys Hernandez Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/13)
06/24/15 RF Corey Hart Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/22)
05/07/15 LF Andrew Lambo Plantar Fasciitis Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/4)
04/06/15 P Brandon Cumpton Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Josh's Pick: Take the Pirates

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