Published May 27, 5:37pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated May 27, 5:37pm ET
Shutterstock
Updated May 27, 5:37pm ET
|
|
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Pirates | -165 |
| Chicago Cubs | +149 |
A few weeks ago, the Cubs were viewed as a World Series contender. They'd won 10 straight and looked hard to stop despite several key bats struggling all season. Then they hit the skids.
For the final game of their series against the Pirates and Paul Skenes, they send veteran Colin Rea to the mound. Against the Astros in his last start, Rea tossed 7 innings and allowed 4 hits and 3 earned runs, taking a hard luck loss. For the season, he has a 4.83 ERA in 11 appearances with 8 starts. In 54 innings, he's surrendered 57 hits and 29 earned runs, walking 17 and striking out 44.
Dansby Swanson, Alex Bregman, and Pete Crow-Armstrong all have an OPS below .700. Seiya Suzuki has slowed down after a hot start, as has Moises Ballasteros.
Against Skenes, Nico Hoerner is 4 for 12 with a home run. Swanson is 2 for 8 with a homer. Suzuki is 3 for 13 with a homer.
Crow-Armstrong is 3 for 12, all singles. Carson Kelly is 2 for 4 with 2 singles. Busch is 4 for 14 with 2 doubles. Bregman is 1 for 6 with a single.
The Pirates are hovering around playoff contention and are within striking distance of the NL Central lead. If they're going to make the postseason, they need Skenes at the top of his game. In his last two starts, he's given up 9 earned runs in 10 innings against the Blue Jays and Phillies.
For the season, he's still got a 1.4 bWAR, but his ERA has jumped to 3.00. In 60 innings, he's allowed 40 hits and 20 earned runs, walking 9 and striking out 65.
Pittsburgh's bats have come alive of late. Spencer Horwitz's OPS is above .850. Brandon Lowe is over .900 with double-digits in home runs. Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz are both inching toward an .800 OPS. Ryan O'Hearn is on the injured list with a hip flexor/quad strain.
For the Pirates against Rea, Henry Davis is 3 for 6 with a home run. Nick Gonzales is 5 for 12 with a home run. Marcell Ozuna is 1 for 8 with a home run. Reynolds is 8 for 19 with 2 doubles and 2 homers. Cruz is 2 for 8 with a double. Horwitz is 3 for 9 with a double. Lowe is 1 for 3 with a double.
Both teams have a similar record. But the Cubs are viewed as plummeting and the Pirates are seen as being in a good position. This is based on preseason expectations and teamwide performances in recent years. Pittsburgh has Skenes on the hill and their bats have had great success against Rea in the past.
Pittsburgh should take this one behind Skenes and knock Rea around, keeping Chicago on the downslide.
|
Pick
Pittsburgh Pirates -165
|
New Player Bonus
50% up to $1000
|
