Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates 6/21/2023 Picks, Forecast and Odds

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates 6/21/2023 – An exhilarating battle between division rivals will occur as the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates square off in the finale of their three-game series at PNC Park. The Cubs enter the game with a hot streak, winning nine of their last 11 games, and they are determined to narrow the three-game gap that separates them from the division-leading Cincinnati Reds. In the opening game of the series, the Cubs displayed their offensive firepower, securing a win. The Chicago Cubs are expected to win here, per the expert MLB betting picks.

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates 6/21/2023

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates 6/21/2023

Team	RL	TOTAL	ML
Chicago Cubs	+1.5 (-210)	8.5 o (+100)	-108
Pittsburgh Pirates	-1.5 (+180)	8.5 u (-120)	-102

Mike Tauch-HIM pic.twitter.com/CrbgyG4ndR

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 21, 2023

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are riding high on their recent surge, winning nine of their last 11 games and closing in on the top spot in the NL Central Division, currently held by the Cincinnati Reds. In their latest triumph, starting pitcher Marcus Stroman delivered a stellar performance, allowing only five hits across seven shutout innings, leading the Cubs to an impressive 4-0 road victory.
As the Cubs gear up for their showdown against the Pittsburgh Pirates, they will hand the ball to their dependable right-hander, Kyle Hendricks. With a record of 2-2 and a solid 3.18 ERA, Hendricks has been a reliable force on the mound. Chicago has emerged victorious in his previous two starts, with Hendricks surrendering a mere two earned runs over his last 13 innings of work.

Chicago will depend on their offense.

In the first two games of this series, the Cubs showcased their offensive prowess, scoring runs in crucial innings to secure convincing victories. On Monday, they exploded for three runs in both the second and eighth innings, cruising to an 8-0 blowout win. In Tuesday’s matchup, they added two more runs in the eighth inning en route to a dominant 4-0 shutout. The Cubs’ ability to produce timely runs has been a key factor in their success.
With Marcus Stroman setting the tone in the previous game, the Cubs’ pitching staff continues to impress. Stroman’s seven shutout innings, backed by solid defense and key strikeouts, showcased the team’s determination to maintain their winning streak and climb up the division standings.

Players to watch: Dansby Swanson SS (GP 71, AB 278, R 33, H 74, 2B 13, 3B 2, HR 7, RBI 31, TB 112, BB 36, SO 72, SB 4, AVG 0.266, OBP 0.352, SLG 0.403, OPS 0.755, WAR 2.9, Nico Hoerner 2B (GP 64, AB 269, R 39, H 76, 2B 11, 3B 1, HR 4, RBI 35, TB 101, BB 19, SO 32, SB 16, AVG 0.283, OBP 0.333, SLG 0.375, OPS 0.709, WAR 1.9

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves amid a challenging stretch, enduring an eight-game losing streak that has seen them slip half a game behind the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central Division. Despite the recent struggles, the Pirates remain determined to turn the tide and get back on track. In Tuesday’s matchup, starting pitcher Johan Oviedo put forth a solid performance, allowing only two runs over six innings, but unfortunately, he ended up on the losing side. Ke’Bryan Hayes, the Pirates’ third baseman, continued to swing a hot bat with a pair of hits, raising his batting average to a respectable .259.
The veteran presence of left-hander Rich Hill has been a steady force in the Pirates’ pitching rotation. At forty-three, Hill continues to deliver effective outings on the mound. In his previous start, he surrendered four runs (3 earned) over five innings in a closely contested 5-4 road loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite the outcome, Hill’s experience and skill set make him a valuable asset for the Pirates.

Rich Hill to start for the Pirates.

As Rich Hill takes the mound on Wednesday, the Pirates will rely on his veteran presence and ability to navigate opposing lineups. With a record of 6-6 and a 4.31 ERA this season, Hill has displayed consistency and the ability to keep his team in the game. Throughout his career, Hill has amassed an impressive record of 88-65 with a 3.87 ERA in 364 games (235 starts). The Pirates will count on him to set the tone and help end their recent struggles.
When looking at the Pirates’ recent performances, it’s evident that their offense has struggled to find its rhythm. They were out-hit 10-5 in Monday’s game and failed to produce any runs on the scoreboard. Tuesday’s contest saw them again out-hit, this time by a 7-5 margin, resulting in another loss. The Pirates will need to find a way to generate more offense and provide support for their pitching staff.

Players to watch: Ke’Bryan Hayes 3B (GP 69, AB 266, R 33, H 68, 2B 15, 3B 5, HR 4, RBI 30, TB 105, BB 15, SO 53, SB 8, AVG 0.256, OBP 0.294, SLG 0.395, OPS 0.689, WAR 1.4, Bryan Reynolds LF (GP 68, AB 258, R 38, H 72, 2B 20, 3B 3, HR 8, RBI 40, TB 122, BB 28, SO 55, SB 8, AVG 0.279, OBP 0.35, SLG 0.473, OPS 0.823, WAR 1.6

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Numbers

Trends

Chicago Cubs

The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Chi Cubs’ last 20 games.
Chi Cubs are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games.
Chi Cubs are 6-0 SU in their last 6 games against Pittsburgh.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi Cubs’ last 7 games on the road.
Chi Cubs are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh.
Chi Cubs are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games against an opponent in the National League.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 5 games.
Pittsburgh are 0-8 SU in their last 8 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games against Chi Cubs.
Pittsburgh are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games at home.
Pittsburgh is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games against an opponent in the National League.