Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs 6/15/2023 – The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to return to the iconic Wrigley Field on Thursday, bringing their series against the Chicago Cubs to a close. Currently leading the NL Central, the Pirates hold an impressive record of 34-31, showcasing their determination and skill in the highly competitive division. This MLB action between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field marks an important NL Central division matchup on Thursday night. The best baseball betting apps favor a win for the Chicago Cubs in this matchup.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs 6/15/2023
| When: | Thursday, June 15, 8:05 PM EDT |
|---|---|
| Where: | Wrigley Field. |
| TV: | ATTP |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs 6/15/2023
| Team | RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Pirates | +1.5 (-1100 | 8.5 o (-115) | +123 |  |
| Chicago Cubs | -1.5 (-110) | 8.5 u (-105) | -145 | |
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AUSTIN HEDGES HAS LEFT THE BUILDING pic.twitter.com/Lahtngn0eZ
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 15, 2023
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates have emerged as the leading team in the NL Central, boasting an impressive record of 34-31. After suffering an 11-3 defeat at the hands of the Cubs on Tuesday, the Pirates are determined to bounce back and regain their winning momentum in Wednesday night’s matchup.
Johan Oviedo will take the mound for the Pirates on Thursday. He has showcased his abilities with an ERA of 4.16 across over 71 innings of play. While Pittsburgh has struggled to find consistent success at the plate this season, ranking below average in hitting, they have also been vulnerable on the defensive end, allowing an average of 8.7 hits per game, which places them eighth in the league. However, amidst their challenges, Jack Suwinski has shined as a standout performer for the Pirates, leading the team with an impressive 15 home runs.
The Pirates have demonstrated resilience in their recent performances, winning seven of their last 11 games and emerging as the only team in the NL Central with a winning record. Offensively, Pittsburgh ranks 19th in MLB, averaging 4.5 runs per game, while their batting average is 16th with a .248 mark.
Their power-hitting has been relatively subdued, placing them 24th in home runs per game. However, the Pirates have utilized their speed effectively, with a strong emphasis on stealing bases. They rank second in MLB with 70 stolen bases, led by the dynamic Ji-hwan Bae, who has contributed 19 steals to the team’s tally.
Rich Hill to start for the Pirates
Thursday’s scheduled starter is the experienced lefty Rich Hill, who has proven his effectiveness despite his age of 43 with a 6-5 record and a 4.23 ERA. Hill has displayed strength in road contests, accumulating a 3-2 record with a 3.68 ERA. Notably, the Pirates have secured victories in Hill’s last two starts, with the veteran pitcher surrendering only three earned runs across the last 13.2 innings while recording 12 strikeouts and five walks.
Players to watch: Ke’Bryan Hayes 3B (GP 64, AB 249, R 33, H 65, 2B 15, 3B 5, HR 4, RBI 28, TB 102, BB 15, SO 48, SB 7, AVG 0.261, OBP 0.302, SLG 0.41, OPS 0.712, WAR 1.8, Bryan Reynolds LF (GP 63, AB 241, R 37, H 69, 2B 19, 3B 3, HR 7, RBI 38, TB 115, BB 25, SO 49, SB 8, AVG 0.286, OBP 0.354, SLG 0.477, OPS 0.831, WAR 1.4
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are in fourth place within the NL Central, currently holding a record of 29-37. Despite their struggles, the Cubs showcased their brilliance in a commanding 11-3 victory over the Pirates on Tuesday, with Jameson Taillon securing the win on the mound. Ian Happ kickstarted the scoring for the Cubs with a three-run home run in the first inning, while Christopher Morel added a three-run homer in the eighth inning, further extending their lead.
Looking ahead, Marcus Stroman is slated to take the mound as the starting pitcher for the Cubs. Stroman boasts an impressive ERA of 2.42, accompanied by a solid 7-4 record. While the Cubs’ bullpen has performed relatively well this season, their inconsistency at the plate has hindered their overall performance. Third baseman Patrick Wisdom leads the charge for the Cubs, who has emerged as a force with 14 home runs. Additionally, Nico Hoerner leads the team with 29 RBIs, demonstrating his impact within the lineup.
Chicago’s struggle to maintain their lead
Although the Cubs got off to a strong start this season, winning 19 of their first 50 games, they have experienced a slump, securing victories in only four of their last five contests. However, despite their overall record, the Cubs find themselves just 4.5 games out of first place in the division.
The Cubs rank 20th in MLB with an average of 4.4 runs per game, 18th with a .245 batting average, and 16th with an average of 1.2 home runs per game. Patrick Wisdom leads the team with 14 home runs and ranks second with 28 RBIs. Impressively, the Cubs boast eight players who have driven in between 20 and 28 runs this season, showcasing a balanced offensive attack.
Players to watch: Dansby Swanson SS (GP 66, AB 257, R 30, H 68, 2B 13, 3B 2, HR 6, RBI 29, TB 103, BB 35, SO 68, SB 4, AVG 0.265, OBP 0.355, SLG 0.401, OPS 0.756, WAR 2.5, Nico Hoerner 2B (GP 59, AB 247, R 36, H 69, 2B 9, 3B 1, HR 4, RBI 29, TB 92, BB 18, SO 30, SB 15, AVG 0.279, OBP 0.332, SLG 0.372, OPS 0.705, WAR 1.8
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Betting Numbers
Trends
Pittsburgh Pirates
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh’s last seven games.
Pittsburgh are 2-5 SU in their last seven games.
Pittsburgh is 1-7 SU in their last eight games against Chi Cubs.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh’s last six games on the road.
Pittsburgh is 1-6 SU in their last seven games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs.
Pittsburgh is 7-3 SU in their last ten games against an opponent in the National League.
Chicago Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Chi Cubs’ last 15 games.
Chi Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last five games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs’ last five games against Pittsburgh.
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Chi Cubs’ last 13 games at home.
Chi Cubs are 6-1 SU in their last seven games when playing at home against Pittsburgh.
Chi Cubs are 5-2 SU in their last seven games against an opponent in the National League.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs Betting Picks
As the Cubs aim to regain their earlier form and close the gap within the division, they must focus on consistent offensive production and continued strong performances from their pitching staff. With Stroman leading the charge on the mound and a lineup featuring multiple contributors, the Cubs possess the potential to turn their season around and make a push for the top spot in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh Pirates will emerge as the losers of this game, as predicted by the latest MLB betting predictions.
Score Prediction: Cubs 6, Pirates 3.
