Free MLB Picks Today: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs 6/21/23

The Chicago Cubs (35-38) are on the road to face the Pittsburgh Pirates (34-38) at PNC Park on Wednesday with the visitors in position to sweep the three-game series.

The Cubs lead the series 2-0 after winning 4-0 on Tuesday, their sixth straight head-to-head victory, including all five games this season. Marcus Stroman threw seven scoreless innings to get the win.

Tucker Barnhart was 1 for 3 with a solo home run in the win. Ian Happ added a triple and one run. Connor Joe went 2 for 3 with a double for the Pirates.

ON THE MOUND

Kyle Hendricks (2-2, 3.18 ERA) is set to get the start for Chicago. The RHP allowed two runs over five innings in his last start, a 10-3 road win over the Orioles on Friday. He earned the win, yielding five hits while striking out one.

Hendricks is making his first appearance against the Pirates this season. Over two starts against the Pirates in 2022, Hendricks was 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA over 10.2 innings.

He had six strikeouts and four walks. LHP Rich Hill (6-6, 4.23 ERA) will toe the rubber for Pittsburgh. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cubs.

Hill made one start against the Cubs in 2022, throwing 4.2 innings for the Red Sox in a 6-5 road defeat on July 1. He gave up three hits and walked four while striking out three in the no-decision.

In his last start on Friday, Hill took the loss on the road against the Brewers. He threw five innings and gave up four runs (3 ER) on three hits, striking out five and walking six in the 5-4 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged 5.6 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.5, thanks in part to increased slugging (.426 vs .397). Against lefties like Hill this season, the Cubs have a .778 OPS, fifth highest in the league.

Cody Bellinger is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a 1.016 OPS in 53 at-bats. Pittsburgh is averaging only 1.2 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.2 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.157/.246/.235).

The Bucs have a .699 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .393 OBP over 146 at-bats, Andrew McCutchen has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Chicago is 15-21 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. Pittsburgh has gone 18-18 at PNC Park this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. Chicago is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at PNC Park with an average scoreline of 5.2-4.8.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Cubs are third in the NL Central, three games behind the division-leading Reds. The Pirates are fourth in the NL Central, four games behind the Reds.