PREMIUM
MLB *AFTERNOON APOCALYPSE*
(MLB) Pittsburgh vs. Chi Cubs,
Point Spread: -1.50 | -109.00 Chi Cubs (Home)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -1.50 | -109.00 Chi Cubs (Home)
Result: Win
Play: Chicago Cubs -1.5
Rating: 8*
The MLB-best Chicago Cubs are sitting 9 1/2 games ahead of the Cardinals and 12 in front of the Pirates in the NL Central division. They'll open a three-game series with the fading Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field Friday afternoon, and I predict a blowout win for the home team.
Francisco Liriano (4-6, 4.92 ERA) will take the ball for the Pirates. He has struggled on the road all season long, going 1-3 with a 7.09 ERA in six starts. The Cubs knocked him around for eight runs on nine hits and four walks in a 9-4 Pirates loss here at Wrigley on May 13.
The Cubs turn to the phenomenal Jake Arrieta (10-1, 1.86 ERA) who is 8-1 with a 1.58 ERA in 11 career starts against the Pirates, including 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA and a .104 batting average against in two starts this season.
Seven of the Cubs' last eight wins have come by two runs or more. The Pirates have lost seven of their past eight games, outscored by two runs or more in each defeat.
Rating: 8*
The MLB-best Chicago Cubs are sitting 9 1/2 games ahead of the Cardinals and 12 in front of the Pirates in the NL Central division. They'll open a three-game series with the fading Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field Friday afternoon, and I predict a blowout win for the home team.
Francisco Liriano (4-6, 4.92 ERA) will take the ball for the Pirates. He has struggled on the road all season long, going 1-3 with a 7.09 ERA in six starts. The Cubs knocked him around for eight runs on nine hits and four walks in a 9-4 Pirates loss here at Wrigley on May 13.
The Cubs turn to the phenomenal Jake Arrieta (10-1, 1.86 ERA) who is 8-1 with a 1.58 ERA in 11 career starts against the Pirates, including 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA and a .104 batting average against in two starts this season.
Seven of the Cubs' last eight wins have come by two runs or more. The Pirates have lost seven of their past eight games, outscored by two runs or more in each defeat.
