The Chicago Cubs (28-37) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (34-30) at Wrigley Field on Tuesday for the opener of a three-game series. The Pirates are kicking off a six-game road trip after closing out a productive nine-game homestand (6-3).
They won two out of three in their last series against the Mets, taking the finale 2-1 on Sunday at PNC Park. Jack Suwinski was 2 for 4 with a solo home run.
The Cubs are back home for a six-game homestand after returning from a 10-game road trip (4-6). They won two of three against the Giants in their last series, dropping the finale 13-3 on Sunday at Oracle Park.
Nico Hoerner went 2 for 5 with one RBI. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Cubs won the 2022 season series between the NL Central rivals (10-9), including three out of four in their most recent meeting at PNC Park in September.
ON THE MOUND
Luis Ortiz (1-2, 4.23 ERA) is in line to start for Pittsburgh. The righty allowed two runs in five innings of relief in his last appearance, a 9-5 road defeat against the Athletics on Wednesday.
He scattered 10 hits while striking out one and walking two. Ortiz made one start against the Cubs in 2022, an 8-3 home loss on September 25. He surrendered one run on one hit over 4.2 innings, striking out seven and walking two.
For Chicago, righty Jameson Taillon (1-4, 7.02 ERA) gets the start. Taillon made one start against the Pirates in 2022, throwing 5.1 innings for the Yankees in a 5-2 road defeat on July 5. He gave up six hits while striking out five in the loss.
In his last start on Wednesday, Taillon took the loss on the road against the Angels. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up four runs on five hits, striking out five and walking four in the 6-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Pittsburgh offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .249/.327/.405. Four Pirates hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Suwinski (.872).
The right fielder is slashing .244/.354/.517 with 13 home runs, 33 RBIs, and 27 runs over 55 games. Against right-handed pitchers like Taillon this season, the Bucs have a .723 OPS.
Suwinski also is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .983 OPS in 127 at-bats. Chicago is slashing .243/.323/.390 for the season and averaging 4.2 runs per game.
Seiya Suzuki leads the team with a .817 OPS. The left fielder has six home runs, 19 RBIs, and 21 runs scored with a slash line of .278/.367/.450.
Chicago is averaging only 2.6 runs per game in the last five with their slash line dropping across the board (.169/.240/.244). The Cubs have a .694 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .800 OPS over 172 at-bats, Ian Happ has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is 16-14 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 3.8 runs. Chicago has gone 15-16 at Wrigley Field this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.3.
In the last 10 games between the teams at Wrigley Field, Chicago is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 6.5-2.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Pirates lead the NL Central by one game over the Brewers. The Cubs are fourth in the NL Central, six games behind the Pirates.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Chicago Cubs (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
