Cubs vs Pirates Picks & Odds (Sep. 23)

• The Cubs vs Pirates odds opened up as a pick’em on Friday (Sept. 23) at 6:35 pm ET
• Chicago will give the ball to Javier Assad (1-2, 3.86 ERA), while Pittsburgh will counter with Bryse Wilson (3-9, 6.07 ERA)
• Read below for the Cubs vs Pirates odds and betting prediction

The Chicago Cubs (64-85, 33-41 away) and Pittsburgh Pirates (55-94, 28-43 home) are two of the eight lowest scoring teams in baseball. Yet, you’d never know it by the way they pile up runs against one another.

Chicago has scored at least seven runs in five of their past 10 meetings with Pittsburgh. The Pirates on the other hand, have crossed the plate at least seven times in three of their last five matchups with the Cubs.

The two NL Central rivals will square off for the 17th time this season on Friday, and oddsmakers couldn’t bring themselves to declare a favorite.

Cubs vs Pirates Odds

Odds as of September 22 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Claim the FanDuel Sportsbook promo code.

Chicago and Pittsburgh have identical -110 moneyline odds in a game with a total of 8. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm ET at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA, with sunshine and 76 degree game-time temperatures in the forecast.

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Chicago vs Pittsburgh Probable Pitchers

Pirates starter Bryse Wilson has been doing his part to help take games over the total lately. The 24-year-old has been hit hard all season, yielding a .301 opponent batting average and .861 enemy OPS.

Bryse Wilson pic.twitter.com/oZXzMkvRAW

— Rum Bunter (@rumbunter) September 18, 2022

Wilson has given up 18 hits, 11 runs and four homers in three September starts, and has a rocky history against the Cubs. He’s been tagged for 17 hits and 10 runs by Chicago in 14.1 innings this season, while yielding a .293 opponent batting average. Current Cubs hitters are slashing .382/.462/.529 off Wilson in 34-at bats, with Ian Happ reaching base seven times in 11 plate appearances.

Wilson has struggled no matter where he’s pitched this season, but he’s been especially bad at home. He boasts a 6.57 ERA in eight appearances, allowing 20 more hits (45) than strikeouts (25).

Assad vs Wilson Stats

Chicago will counter with rookie Javier Assad, who’s fresh off the shortest outing of his career. He lasted just 2 innings at Coors Field, coughing up four runs and four walks to the Rockies.

The 25-year-old lasted 6 innings in his previous start, but again struggled with his control. He walked three batters, and surrendered five more hits, but was able to pitch himself out of multiple jams.

His control was also an issue in the outing before that, as he was chased by the Reds after allowing four runs and two homers over 5.1 innings.

Cubs vs Pirates Betting Trends

Luckily for Assad, the Pirates lineup is in a horrific slump. They’re slashing .167/.287/.363 over the past week, averaging only three runs per game. They’ve lost seven straight games, scoring two or fewer runs four times.

One of the lone offensive bright spots for Pittsburgh has been center fielder Bryan Reynolds. The team leader in WAR is batting north of .400 over the past week, with two games of at least three hits in his last three outings. Unfortunately, just two of his 12 hits this week have been of the extra base variety, and he’s been left stranded on the base path more often than not.

CLEAR THE DECK CANNNNNNONBALL COMIN

BRYAN REYNOLDS https://t.co/J3qLkPtfv4

— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) September 21, 2022

Chicago meanwhile, has won three straight and seven of 10. The majority of those victories have been thanks to their pitching, as they’ve yielded three or fewer runs in seven of those 10 games. The starting rotation, with the exception of Assad’s start in Colorado and another poor outing by Wade Miley in Miami, has been excellent as has the bullpen.

Cubs win!

Final: #Cubs 3, Pirates 2. pic.twitter.com/amww82tOxB

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 23, 2022

Over the past two weeks Chicago relievers boast a 3.13 ERA and 87% strand rate. They’re also striking out an average of 10 batters per 9 innings, which is the eighth highest mark in the league over that stretch.

CHC vs PIT Last 10 Meetings

Cubs vs Pirates Pick

Let’s not overthink this one. These are two teams going in complete opposite directions. Neither has anything to play for, but at least the Cubs are stringing together quality performances over the past couple weeks.

Pittsburgh can’t get anything going on offense, while Wilson has been a punching bag for virtually every team he’s faced this year. Given Chicago’s success versus him in the past, expect that trend to continue.

Pick: Chicago Cubs Moneyline (-110)