The Chicago Cubs wrap up their home series with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday with a chance to narrow the gap between them and the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers even further.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs (-118, 7.5)
Jameson Taillon gets the start on the mound for the Cubs after having allowed seven runs in his previous start against the Atlanta, but had allowed four runs in total in his first four starts of the season prior to that clunker.
Overall Taillon has a 1.61 ERA despite getting just 5.8 strikeouts per nine innings and owning a 4.55 fielding independent.
Working in Taillon’s favor is the Pirates’ inability to score runs, averaging fewer than 3.8 runs per game this season and entering Saturday’s shutout ranked 24th in the league in runs per game.
On the other side Cubs offense entered the weekend seventh in the league in runs per game at home with 4.8 runs per game and will look to get a lead for Taillon off of Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller.
Keller has allowed at least three runs in five of his nine starts this season, posting a 3.93 ERA with his strikeouts per nine innings rate going from 9.7 last season to 8.3 this season.
Neither team backs up their starter with a sharp bullpen as the Cubs’ 4.28 ERA is ranked 20th in the league and the Pirates’ 4.43 ERA is ranked 23rd.
With the Pirates’ struggles at the plate and in the bullpen, Taillon will get a victory against his former team and secure a series win for the Cubs.
The Play: Cubs -118
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