Cubs vs Pirates Odds, Picks, and Probable Pitchers (Sep. 29)

• The Cubs and Pirates are both -108 on the moneyline for their game on Wednesday night
• Pirates starter Roansy Contreras will make his MLB debut and face Kyle Hendricks (14-7, 4.81)
• The matchups and odds can be found below with a prediction

The bottom two teams in the National League Central meet when the Chicago Cubs visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at 6:40 p.m. ET Wednesday in the middle game of a three-game series at PNC Park.

The Cubs (67-90, 28-48 away) have lost seven games in a row, 11 of their last 12 and 14 of their past 16.

The Pirates (59-98, 35-41 home) have dropped four of their last six games and six of nine.

Fittingly, the teams are even on the moneyline.

Cubs vs Pirates Odds

Odds as of September 28th at FanDuel.

The weather forecast calls for 66 degrees at first pitch clear skies and light wind from the north.

Probable Pitchers

Kyle Hendricks (14-7, 4.81) will start for the Cubs. The Pirates plan to call right-hander Roansy Contreras up from Triple-A Indianapolis to start and make his major league debut.

Hendricks is winless since Aug. 17, going 0-2 with an 8.33 ERA in six starts. He lost to the Minnesota Twins at home last Wednesday when he gave up four runs (three earned) and five hits in 5 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and no walks.

Hendricks vs Contreras

He had his moments earlier in the season.

Kyle Hendricks tosses 6 shutout innings!#CubTogether pic.twitter.com/tZ9v9IB75z

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 18, 2021

Hendricks has recorded quality starts in 19 of his 31 outings this season but only one in his last six rotation turns. The Cubs are 17-14 when he pitches.

On the road, Hendricks has an 8-2 record and 4.32 ERA in 14 starts. He is 8-3 with a 4.78 ERA in 16 night games.

The Pirates have given Hendricks problems this season as he is 1-2 with a 7.45 ERA in four starts against them. He is 7-10 with a 3.69 ERA in 23 career starts and 4-4 with a 3.15 ERA in 12 starts at PNC Park.

The 21-year-old Contreras has been limited to 13 starts in the minor leagues this season because of forearm issues. However, he has gone 3-2 with a 2.64 ERA between Indianapolis and Double-A Altoona.

https://twitter.com/hgomez27/status/1442919943188611074

In four minor league seasons, Contreras has a 19-13 record and 3.13 ERA in 63 games (60 starts). The Pirates acquired from the New York Yankees in the offseason in a trade for right-hander Jameson Taillon.

Hayes Likes Facing Hendricks

Pirates rookie Ke’Bryan Hayes has had some success against Hendricks, the crafty veteran, by going 3 for 9 with two home runs.

Batting Average vs Starting Pitchers

NOTE: No Cubs batters have faced Contreras.

The Cubs should get catcher Willson Contreras back after he was out of the lineup Tuesday night because of wrist soreness. Contreras pinch hit and grounded out to end the game.

#Cubs Willson Contreras enjoying Wrigley for the last time in 2021 pic.twitter.com/IMsI5Lj51b

— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) September 26, 2021

Chicago also learned Tuesday it will be without right fielder Jason Heyward for the remainder of the season because of a concussion.

Cubs-Pirates Picks

The Pirates ended their seven-game losing streak against the Cubs with an 8-6 victory Tuesday night in the series opener. Colin Moran hit a three-run home run and drove in four runs and Bryan Reynolds finished with three hits and three RBIs.

Hey, that’s our Moran. pic.twitter.com/Hv14CFQObA

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 28, 2021

The Cubs lead the season series 12-5, including going 4-3 at PNC Park. Chicago has also captured the season series seven in a row since 2015, compiling a 74-47 record.

Let’s go for the Pirates making it two in a row over the Cubs with the highly touted Contreras facing the scufflilng Hendricks.

The Pick: Pirates moneyline (-108)