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MLB Betting Preview on Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs

MLB Betting Preview on Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs

Written by on June 16, 2016

MLB News and Betting Previews| Xbet.ag
Friday afternoon features the opening of a three-game weekend series between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. The Cubs (44-20) have fallen off their torrid pace a bit but still lead the National League Central by a comfortable margin despite their 5-4 loss in Washington on Wednesday. The Pirates (33-32) sit in third place in the division, 11 ½ games behind the Cubs. The Pirates also lost on Wednesday in an 11-2 drubbing at the hands of the Mets. The Cubs are off Thursday, but the Pirates have one more game in New York before heading west. Be sure to check out for more MLB odds by clicking here.

MLB Betting Preview on Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs & TV Info

When: Friday, June 17, 2016, 2:20pm Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago TV: RTPT, WLS Channel 7 Chicago Radio: Chicago / Pittsburgh Live Stream: MLB.tv MLB Odds: TBA Pitching Matchup: Francisco Liriano (4-6, 4.92 ERA) (PIT) vs Jake Arrieta (10-1, 1.86 ERA) (CHI)

Why should you put your money on the Cubs?

What else can you say? Arrieta has won 21 of his past 22 decisions, throwing at a microscopic 1.13 ERA during that time. He’s even found a little offense of his own; in his last start, he supplemented dynamite pitching with two base hits. On the offensive side, four Cubs have taken Liriano deep (Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, David Ross and Addison Russell) and both Jason Heyward (.364) and Bryant (.444) have stellar batting averages against him.

Why should you bet on Pittsburgh?

Admittedly, this is a tough case to make given that the Pirates have lost six of seven, and the Cubs are going to be starting Jake Arrieta, who is already 2-0 against the Bucs with a 1.20 ERA this season. However, the Pirates’ starter, Francisco Liriano, did have a solid outing, fanning eight and permitting only one earned run in six innings. Also, Andrew McCutchen (.310, 29 AB) and Matt Joyce (.417, 12 AB) have had some success getting on base against the reigning NL Cy Young winner in the past.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I like Arrieta to shut down the Pirates’ offense once again and lead the Cubs to a victory. I’m predicting a final tally of 4-1 in favor of Chicago.
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