Chicago Cubs At Pittsburgh Pirates 2017 MLB Expert Predictions

Winning over 100 games, as well as a World Series, is a tough act to follow, but before this season began, the general consensus was that the Chicago Cubs were more than equipped to equal, or perhaps even better, their exploits from last season. The reality of life in professional sports is that the real world seldom matches up with the expectations that we create, and through the first portion of the season, the Cubs have not even been able to muster a .500 record to become one of the best MLB picks out there. There have been all sorts of excuses used to explain what is going on, but it can all be summed up, quite simply, as a very good team that is drastically underachieving. This is a team that is loaded with talent, though, and you still feel that they will be able to go on a run that should take them to the top of the mediocre NL Central. They can potentially get that run started this weekend when they pay a visit to Pittsburgh to play their division rival Pirates.

In Depth Analysis On The Chicago Cubs At Pittsburgh Pirates 2017 MLB Picks

When: Friday, June 16 at 7:05 PM EST Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh Starting Pitchers: Eddie Butler Vs Trevor Williams TV: WGN, ROOTPIT Radio: 670 The Score, KDKA-FM 93.7 Live Stream: MLB.tv MLB Odds: TBA    

Why bet on the Chicago Cubs

There have been moments this season when the Chicago Cubs (32-33) of last season have made an appearance, but those moments have been few and far between. This is a team that is struggling to find any sort of consistency, and there has been talk of a World Series hangover being the issue, or a team that is tired after fulfilling offseason obligations as a champion. Whatever the reasons may, be it’s been an incredibly disappointing season for the champions, albeit one that they should be able to turn around give the depth of talent at their disposal, as well as the fact that this division is just not that good. The Cubs will head to Pittsburgh with a 12-18 road record, and will have Eddie Butler (3-2, 4.03 ERA) on the mound on Friday.

Why bet on the Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates (30-36) were one of the better teams in the league over the last few years, but they came away with nothing to show for it, and it now appears as though their window of opportunity has been slammed shut. The Pirates have been okay at home, where they are 2 games above .500, and they are 4-2 overall against the Cubs this season, although they did lose 2 of 3 the last time that the champions came to town. The Pirates are still just 4.5 games off the lead in the division, and a strong showing in this series could help keep them close. Trevor Williams (3-3, 5.13 ERA) will start on the mound on Friday.

Expert MLB Picks and Final Score Prediction

The Cubs won the series when they visited Pittsburgh earlier this season, and I think they might repeat that feat, starting with a win on Friday night in the opener.

Chicago Cubs 6 Pittsburgh Pirates 3