Free MLB Picks Today: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs 6/19/23

The Pittsburgh Pirates (34-36) host the Chicago Cubs (33-38) at PNC Park on Monday for the opener of a three-game series. The Cubs are heading on the road after a successful six-game homestand (5-1). They won two out of three in their last series against the Orioles, dropping the finale 6-3 on Sunday at Wrigley Field.

Mike Tauchman was 1 for 3 with a solo home run. The Pirates just wrapped up a winless six-game road trip. They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Brewers, dropping the finale 5-2 on Sunday at American Family Field for their sixth straight loss. Bryan Reynolds went 1 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Cubs have won all three games this season between the NL Central rivals, including a 7-2 victory in their most recent meeting on Thursday at Wrigley Field. Marcus Stroman went six innings, giving up two runs on four hits, to get the win.

ON THE MOUND

Drew Smyly (6-4, 3.59 ERA) is slated for the start for Chicago. The left-hander matches up against the Pirates for the second successive start. He allowed five runs over six innings on Wednesday, a 10-6 road win. He earned the win, giving up nine hits while striking out four and walking one.

Righty Osvaldo Bido (0-0, 2.25 ERA) will toe the rubber for Pittsburgh. His only prior start against the Cubs this season was his last outing, when Bido gave up one run over four innings in a 10-6 road defeat on Wednesday. He gave up four hits and walked three while striking out six in the no-decision.

AT THE PLATE

The Chicago offense is averaging 4.5 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .249/.329/.398. Ian Happ leads the team in OPS at .791. The center fielder is slashing .266/.389/.402 with five home runs, 33 RBIs, and 26 runs over 70 games.

Over the last five games, though, Chicago has averaged 6.6 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.270/.353/.442). Against right-handed pitchers like Bido this season, the Cubs have a .707 OPS.

Happ also is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .835 OPS in 186 at-bats. Pittsburgh is slashing .246/.324/.402 for the season and averaging 4.3 runs per game.

Jack Suwinski leads the team with a .886 OPS. The right fielder has 15 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 30 runs scored with a slash line of .239/.359/.527. Pittsburgh is averaging only 2.8 runs per game in the last five with their slash line falling across the board (.200/.269/.331).

The Bucs have a .759 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a 1.081 OPS over 73 at-bats, Rodolfo Castro has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Chicago is 13-21 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.1 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Pittsburgh has gone 18-16 at home this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 4.9.

The teams have split their last 10 games at PNC Park, though Pittsburgh has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.5-4.4.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Cubs are fourth in the NL Central, three games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Pirates are third in the NL Central, one game behind the Brewers.