Sunday, September 27, 2015

Wrigley Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: A.J. Burnett (9-5) vs. Jake Arrieta (20-6)

The Chicago Cubs welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates to Wrigley Field on Sunday. The Pirates send A.J. Burnett to the mound to face Jake Arrieta of the Cubs. The opening line for this matchup has Pittsburgh at +203 and Chicago at -220. The over/under was set at 7.5. The Pirates have a 72-70 over/under record and a 69-85 run line mark, meaning they cover 45% of the time. The Cubs are 75-78 against the run line and have a 69-75 over/under record. They cover the spread 49% of the time.

The Pirates come into this game with a 94-60 record, and they are 44-35 away from home. Starting pitcher A.J. Burnett holds a 9-5 record with an earned run average of 3.15 and a WHIP of 1.35. In his starts, the Pirates are 13-11 over his 151.1 innings pitched this season while giving up 162 hits during those innings. Against the over/under, the Pirates are 13-10 in his starts. His teammates are averaging 4.4 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 2.62 and they've given up 428 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .231 against the Pirates bullpen while walking 151 times and striking out 437 times. Pittsburgh is averaging 8.08 strikeouts per game while getting 8.46 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 2nd in baseball in team earned run average at 3.23.

Pittsburgh ranks 8th in the league in team batting average at .262 while hitting .263 on the road. Ranked at 8th in the league in on-base percentage, the Pirates sit at .325 and they hold a .398 team slugging percentage. Starling Marte leads the team in hits with 159 while the team ranks 6th in baseball with 9.13 hits per game.

With a 89-64 overall record, Chicago will come into this game 47-31 at home. With an earned run average of 1.88, Jake Arrieta will come into this game holding a 20-6 record and a 0.90 WHIP. In his starts, the Cubs are 23-8 and he has allowed 147 hits over 216 innings pitched this season. Against the over/under, the Cubs are 8-18 when he starts. His teammates score an average of 4.1 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 3.49 and they have given up 434 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .233 against the Cubs bullpen while walking 174 times and striking out 482 times. Chicago is averaging 8.78 strikeouts per game while getting 8.05 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 5th in the league in team earned run average at 3.51.

They rank 28th in the league in team batting average with a .244 average while hitting .239 at home. Ranked at 14th in the league in on-base percentage, the Cubs sit at .321 and they hold a .401 team slugging percentage. Anthony Rizzo leads the team in hits with 156 while the team ranks 27th in baseball with 8.28 hits a game.

The Pirates have committed 117 errors and have combined for 1,784 assists and 4,247 put outs leading to a .981 team fielding percentage. The Cubs have committed 104 errors on the season with 1,576 assists and 4,135 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .982 on the year.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 72-70 against the over/under so far this season

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 69-85 against the run line so far this season

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 69-75 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 75-78 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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