Free MLB Picks Today: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs 9/22/22

The Pittsburgh Pirates (55-94), one of the weakest lineups in MLB, are set to host the Chicago Cubs (64-85) at PNC Park on Thursday to open a four-game series. The Cubs are in the midst of a seven-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Marlins, taking the finale 4-3 on Wednesday at loanDepot park. Patrick Wisdom was 1 for 4 with a solo home run. The Pirates are back home for a seven-game homestand after finishing up a 10-game road trip (4-6). They are coming off a two-game sweep at the hands of the Yankees, dropping the finale 14-2 on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium for their sixth straight loss. Rodolfo Castro went 2 for 4 with a triple and two runs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Pirates have won eight of 15 in the season series between the NL Central rivals, although they dropped a close one 4-2 in their last meeting on July 26 at Wrigley Field. Keegan Thompson went seven innings, giving up two runs (0 ER) on four hits and striking out seven, to get the win, and Mychal Givens earned his second save with a scoreless ninth.

ON THE MOUND

Hayden Wesneski (1-1, 2.30 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Chicago. The righty allowed one run over seven innings in his last start, a 3-1 road defeat against the Rockies on Saturday. He yielded three hits while striking out seven in the no-decision. Right-hander Mitch Keller (5-11, 4.03 ERA) will toe the rubber for Pittsburgh. He has made one prior appearance against the Cubs this season, giving up one runs over 2.2 innings in a 3-2 road win on May 18. He gave up three hits and walked two, while striking out four in the win. In his last start on Friday, Keller took the loss on the road against the Mets. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out six and walking two in the 4-3 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Chicago offense is averaging 4.0 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .240/.311/.388. Willson Contreras leads the team in OPS at .822. The catcher is slashing .246/.351/.471 with 21 home runs, 54 RBIs, and 63 runs over 107 games. Over the last five games, though, Chicago has averaged only 2.6 runs a game while performing worse across the board (.193/.249/.311). Against right-handed pitchers like Keller this season, the Cubs have a .700 OPS. Ian Happ is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .790 OPS in 408 at-bats. Pittsburgh is slashing .221/.287/.363 for the season and averaging 3.6 runs per game, third lowest in the league. Bryan Reynolds leads the team with a .786 OPS. The center fielder has 24 home runs, 56 RBIs, and 65 runs scored with a slash line of .259/.336/.450. The Bucs have a .650 OPS against right-handers in 2022, third lowest in MLB. With a .795 OPS over 353 at-bats, Reynolds also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Chicago is 33-41 in road games in 2022, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 4.9 runs. Pittsburgh has gone 28-43 at home this season, averaging 3.7 runs per game while surrendering 5.3. The teams have split their last 10 games head-to-head at PNC Park, though Pittsburgh has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.2-5.0.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Cubs are third in the NL Central, 22 games behind the division-leading Cardinals. The Pirates are fifth in the NL Central, 31 games behind the Cardinals.