Saturday, September 26, 2015

Wrigley Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Francisco Liriano (11-7) vs. Jason Hammel (9-6)

The Pittsburgh Pirates visit Wrigley Field on Saturday to play the Chicago Cubs. The probable starters are Francisco Liriano for the Pirates and Jason Hammel for the Cubs. The opening line for this matchup has Pittsburgh at -108 and Chicago at -102. The over/under was set at 8. The Pirates, with a 68-85 run line record, cover the spread 44% of the time. They also have a 72-69 over/under record. The Cubs are 75-77 against the run line and have a 69-74 over/under record. They cover the spread 49% of the time.

The Pirates show up with a 93-60 record, including 43-35 on the road. Starting pitcher Francisco Liriano holds a 11-7 record with an earned run average of 3.41 and a WHIP of 1.21. In his starts, the Pirates are 18-11 over his 174 innings pitched this season while giving up 144 hits during those innings. The Pirates are also 17-8 against the over/under in his starts. He is getting 5.2 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 2.61 and they've given up 425 hits on the season. The bullpen has struck out 433 and walked 150 batters this season while opposing teams hit .230 against them. Pittsburgh has a team average of 8.47 hits allowed per game and are averaging 8.06 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.24, they are 2nd in the league.

As a team, Pittsburgh is batting .262, good for 8th in the league while putting together a .263 average away from home. Ranked at 7th in the league in on-base percentage, the Pirates sit at .326 and they hold a .399 team slugging percentage. With 159 hits, Starling Marte leads the team while his team ranks 6th in hits per game with 9.14.

Chicago is 47-30 at home while holding a 89-63 overall record on the season. With an earned run average of 3.79, Jason Hammel will come into this game holding a 9-6 record and a 1.15 WHIP. In his starts, the Cubs are 14-15 and he has allowed 146 hits over 161.2 innings pitched this season. The Cubs are also 15-14 against the over/under in his starts. He is getting 4.4 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 3.49 and they have given up 432 hits on the season. The Cubs bullpen has struck out 477 batters and walked 174 this season while opposing teams have hit .234 against them. Chicago has a team average of 8.06 hits per game and are averaging 8.76 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.51, they are 5th in the league.

As a team, they are batting .245, good for 29th in the league while putting together a .239 average at home. Ranked at 13th in the league in on-base percentage, the Cubs sit at .321 and they hold a .401 team slugging percentage. With 155 hits, Anthony Rizzo leads the team while his team ranks 27th in hits per game with 8.29.

The Pirates have committed 117 errors and have combined for 1,777 assists and 4,220 put outs leading to a .981 team fielding percentage. Over the course of this season, the Cubs have accumulated 104 errors while having 1,570 assists and 4,108 put outs leading to a .982 fielding percentage.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 72-69 against the over/under so far this season

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 68-85 against the run line so far this season

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 69-74 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 75-77 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

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)

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)

Tony's Pick: Take the Pirates

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