The Chicago Cubs (66-85) are on the road to face the Pittsburgh Pirates (55-96) at PNC Park on Saturday. The Cubs lead the series 2-0 after winning 6-5 on Friday, their fourth straight head-to-head victory and ninth in 17 games this season. Manuel Rodriguez got the win with two innings of relief, and Erich Uelmen picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth. P.J. Higgins was 2 for 3 with one run in the win. Patrick Wisdom added a home run, two runs, and two RBIs. Bryan Reynolds went 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs for the Pirates. Jack Suwinski added a solo home run and three walks.
ON THE MOUND
Wade Miley (1-1, 3.48 ERA) is in line for the start for Chicago. The lefty allowed seven runs (three earned) over three innings in his last start, a 10-3 road defeat against the Marlins on Monday. He took the loss, yielding seven hits while striking out two and walking two. Miley has made one previous start against the Pirates this season, a 9-0 home victory on May 16. He allowed one hit over seven scoreless innings, striking out six. RHP Johan Oviedo (3-2, 3.69 ERA) takes the mound for Pittsburgh. He has made two appearances against the Cubs this season, including one start, giving up four runs over 6.2 innings (0-1, 5.40) with six strikeouts and three walks. In his last start on Sunday, Oviedo took a no-decision on the road against the Mets. He threw four innings and gave up three runs on five hits, striking out six and walking four in the 7-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged 3.6 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.0. Against righties like Oviedo this season, the Cubs have a .701 OPS. Willson Contreras has the team’s best on-base percentage against right-handers at .358 over 415 at-bats. Pittsburgh is averaging 4.0 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 3.6 for the season. The Bucs have a .652 OPS against left-handers in 2022, fourth lowest in the league. With a .804 OPS over 132 at-bats, Diego Castillo has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is on a four-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 35-41 in 2022. The Cubs have scored 4.0 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.9 runs. Pittsburgh has lost four in a row in front of their home fans. The Bucs are 28-45 at home this season, averaging 3.7 runs per game while surrendering 5.3. In the last 10 meetings at PNC Park, Chicago is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.8-4.8.
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, 33 games behind the Cardinals.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Pittsburgh Pirates (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
