Chicago At Pittsburgh MLB Free Picks

Before the start of the current MLB season, anyone with even a passing interest in baseball had predictions to make about each of the divisions. While baseball fans were divided on many of the outcomes, the one common thread was that the World Champion Chicago Cubs would once again waltz away with the NL Central. The only real difference of opinion was about how long it would take them to wrap things up. Yes, it’s still incredibly early in the season, but the Cubs are not having it all their way this year. They do have the lead atop the Central, but there are only two games separating them from the team on the bottom. That team would be the Pittsburgh Pirates, who just happen to be hosting the division leading Cubs in a 3-game series to start the week. For the purposes of this piece, we will be focusing on the second game in the series, which is set to go at PNC Park on Tuesday night. Find the updated MLB betting predictions here.

Here’s A Closer Look At The Cubs At Pirates MLB Free Picks

When: Tuesday, April 25 at 7:05 PM EST Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh Starting Pitchers: Kyle Hendricks Vs Gerrit Cole TV: WGN, ROOTPIT Radio: KDKA-FM 93.7, 670 The Score Live Stream: MLB.TV MLB Odds: TBA    

Why bet on the Chicago Cubs

While the 10-8 start for the Chicago Cubs may seem a little underwhelming, it is worth mentioning that they have won 5 of the 6 series they have played in this season. Their record is not more impressive because the one series that they did drop was a 3-game sweep at the hands of these Pittsburgh Pirates. Revenge is sure to be on the minds of the Cubs, and they may actually be happy to get out on the road again, as they have played much better ball away from Wrigley Field, going 6-3 in enemy territory so far this season. Kyle Hendricks (1-1, 6.19 ERA) will be making his 4th start of the season on Tuesday, with his lone loss so far coming versus the Pirates.

Why bet on the Pittsburgh Pirates

If you want to talk about inconsistency in the early part of the season, you need to be talking about the Pittsburgh Pirates (8-10). The sweep of the Cubs is certainly an early highlight for the Pirates, but that showing has been somewhat tempered by the fact that Pittsburgh have been the victims of a sweep versus both the Reds and the Cardinals. The biggest problem for this team right now is their inability to score runs, as their 62 runs through their first 18 games is the lowest number in the NL. That is a little scary when you consider that they are about to face a team in the top 10 in scoring. Gerrit Cole (1-2, 4.70 ERA) will get the start for the Pirates.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

The big question here is whether Cole can do enough to keep the Cubs bats cold, as his team is just not doing enough on offense to allow him an off night. I think the Cubs do just enough to take the W in this one.

Chicago Cubs 4 Pittsburgh Pirates 2