- 1 Pittsburgh Pirates – Chicago Cubs: A Defensive Grind
- 2 The Pittsburgh Pirates in Their Comfort Zone
- 3 Chicago’s Batting Woes Deepen
- 4 MLB Pick Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs
- 5 A quick note on our picks
- 6 No commitment from us
- 7 Facts can change
- 8 Your responsibility
- 9 Responsible gambling first
- 10 Legal age
- 11 About the images
Pittsburgh Pirates – Chicago Cubs: A Defensive Grind 
The Pittsburgh Pirates took Game 1 of the series 2-1, stretching Chicago’s miserable losing streak to nine straight. It was a classic low-scoring scrap: Ben Brown got off to a strong start on the mound, Henry Davis cracked the decisive home run, and both lineups struggled to find any kind of rhythm at the plate. The call for under 8.5 runs is built on the visitors’ current slump, the Pirates’ solid pitching form, and a betting line that still leaves a healthy cushion.
The Pittsburgh Pirates in Their Comfort Zone 
Off the back of that 2-1 win, the Pittsburgh Pirates played this one exactly the way they like it: a steady rotation keeping things tight, a defence that shows up when it matters, and an attack that can nick the big hit at the right time. They have no reason to speed the game up at the plate as long as Braxton Ashcraft keeps handling the early innings with composure. In front of their own fans, the home side thrive in these cagey affairs where every run has to be fought for.
Chicago’s Batting Woes Deepen 
The visitors are in a proper rut, now carrying a ninth straight defeat after scoring just one lonely run in the series opener. On paper, the lineup has enough quality, but when the pressure is on against the Pittsburgh Pirates, it keeps going missing at the key moments. Even when the starter turns in a strong outing, as he did last night, Chicago’s offence still can’t give him the backing he needs. That only strengthens the case for a low total: the visitors can limit damage with their pitching, but there is little to suggest they are about to catch fire at the plate.
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MLB Pick Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs
Under 7.5 total runs
Backing under 7.5 runs looks the sensible play given the way both teams are trending and what we have seen between them lately. That 2-1 scoreline yesterday was no fluke: the opposition is struggling badly to produce offence, while the Pittsburgh Pirates know how to lock things down with strong pitching and disciplined defence.
With an ERA below 3.00, Ashcraft gives the Pittsburgh Pirates a very solid base on the mound, and Wicks does not look like a pitcher likely to cough up a flood of runs early either. Even if one side gets to four or five runs, it is hard to see the other answering with the same punch straight away. Given the visitors’ form and the direction of this matchup, the 7.5 line feels generous. The smart call is another tight one involving the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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