Pirates vs Cubs Prediction & Best Bet (June 14): Can Pittsburgh Rebound From Tuesday’s Blowout?

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs are set to meet for their second encounter of a three-game series on Wednesday, June 14. Chicago emerged victorious in a dominant fashion from last night’s meeting, leaving time to tell if Pittsburgh can even things once tonight’s Pirates vs Cubs showdown is said and done.

Cubs win!

Final: #Cubs 11, Pirates 3. pic.twitter.com/21hAAdYGdB

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 14, 2023

The Cubs thrilled the Wrigley Field faithful Tuesday night, providing fireworks in the form of an 11-3 victory over the Pirates. The game was tied 3-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning before Chicago rattled off eight unanswered runs to seal the deal. Cubs left fielders Ian Happ and Christoper Morel stole the show, combining for two home runs and seven RBIs in three at-bats.

Can the Pirates prove that last night’s drubbing was just a fluke? Or will the Cubs capitalize on their newfound momentum to close the gap in the NL Central?

Here’s a look at everything you know heading into tonight’s Pirates vs Cubs showdown, from the latest betting odds to a prediction with the best betting recommendation, courtesy of Betting News.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Game Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Pittsburgh Pirates (34-31, 16-15 Away) vs. Chicago Cubs (29-37, 16-16 Home)
• Venue & Location: Wrigley Field (Chicago, Illinois)
• Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2023
• Game Time: 8:05 p.m. Eastern Time
• Pirates vs Cubs TV Info: MLB Extra Innings, Marquee Sports Network, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

Pirates vs Cubs Odds

Game odds will be updated when available.

Spread

• Pittsburgh Pirates TBD (TBD)
• Chicago Cubs TBD (TBD)

Over/Under

• Over TBD Runs (TBD)
• Under TBD Runs (TBD)

Moneyline

• Pittsburgh Pirates +145
• Chicago Cubs -175

Pirates vs Cubs Starting Pitchers

• Pirates: Osvaldo Bido (0 starts — 0-0, 0.00 ERA)
• Cubs: Drew Smyly (13 starts —5-4, 3.27 ERA)

Pirates vs Cubs Betting Trends

• Pittsburgh is 1-6 straight up in its last seven games against the Cubs.
• The Cubs are 5-1 straight up in its last six home games against Pittsburgh.
• The total has hit the over in four of Pittsburgh’s last five road games.
• The total has hit the over in eight of the Cubs’ last 12 home games.
• The total has hit the over in three of the last four Pirates-Cubs matchups.

Pirates vs Cubs Game Preview

The Pirates head into this game as the NL Central’s No. 1 seed, 5.5 games ahead of the Cubs. However, if Pittsburgh wants to increase that lead, it must find a way to overcome snap the bad luck it’s had recently against its division rival.

Dating back to the 2022 MLB season, the Pirates are just 1-6 in their last seven meetings with the Cubs. Pittsburgh barely mustered much offense in those contests, averaging 3.3 runs per game, whereas Chicago averaged exactly five.

Playing at Wrigley Field also hasn’t been much of a positive for Derek Shelton’s club. The Pirates have lost five of their previous six road games against the Cubs, never scoring more than three runs at all over that span.

That’s far from great news ahead of tonight’s meeting considering that the Pirates have lost four of their past six road games, which includes allowing double-digit runs twice.

The Pirates hope that starting pitcher Osvaldo Bido can keep the Cubs’ offense at a minimum in his MLB debut. The 27-year-old has spent the 2023 campaign with Triple-A Indianapolis, going 3-4 with a 4.88 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings over 12 appearances (10 starts).

Pirates To Select Osvaldo Bido https://t.co/vPsKknv6VN pic.twitter.com/lTSO1OSLjP

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) June 14, 2023

Meanwhile, the Cubs are countering with Drew Smyly on the mound. The veteran arm has put together one of his better campaigns this year, tallying a 5-4 record while pitching to a 3.27 ERA and 1.158 WHIP over 13 starts.

Having said that, Smyly struggled when facing the Pirates during the 2022 MLB season. He’s lost his last two starts against Pittsburgh, surrendering seven runs, 12 hits, two homers, and a pair of walks over just 9 1/3 innings of work. What’s even worse is that both losses came at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs have been finding success at home, though, winning three of their last four games in the Windy City. Two of those victories came against the MLB-leading Tampa Bay Rays, meaning Chicago more than has what it takes to beat Pittsburgh for the second time in as many nights.

Throw in the fact that Smyly has also lost three consecutive outings overall and it’s clear that he needs a bounce-back performance tonight.

Pirates vs Cubs Game Prediction and Picks

Pirates vs Cubs Prediction: Cubs 6, Pirates 4

Pirates vs Cubs: Cubs ML (Best Value: -175)

After last night’s blowout, I’m backing the Cubs to win their second in a row over the Pirates. Pittsburgh hasn’t been playing that well on the road while Chicago has found a way to get the job done at home recently. It’s also hard trusting Bido in his first-ever start, especially when he hasn’t been that impressive in the minors. Smyly has struggled, too, but he’s better than his recent outings have shown.

Although the over/under is currently unknown, I’d take the over on any sportsbook listing a 9.5-run total or lower. The over is 4-1 in Pittsburgh’s last five road games and 8-4 in Chicago’s previous 12 overall. Furthermore, three of the last four Pirates vs Cubs showdowns have seen at least 11 runs scored.

With Bido being unproven and Smyly performing inconsistently as of late, I wouldn’t be shocked if we see a decent amount of fireworks.

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