Cubs vs Pirates

Chicago sends a left-hander to the mound riding a personal two-game win streak, and should help the Cubs rebound from a two-game skid. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh enters on a two-game slide and has dropped six of its last ten, further hampered by a thinning lineup and injuries in both the rotation and bullpen. While the Pirates turn to a highly touted veteran arm, the margin for error is slim against a Cubs team that’s been making consistent contact and capitalizing on matchups. With the bullpen well-rested and key contributors back in the lineup, Chicago’s combination of health, momentum, and roster depth supports backing them on the moneyline. The modest juice feels justified here, grading out at a B+ for both probability and value.

Honestly, with the way these teams are trending, it’s tough not to like Chicago in this spot. The pitching edge, the fresher bullpen, and just a little more firepower all make the price feel right—even if it’s not a blowout lock, it’s a pretty solid ticket to punch.

Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 29/04/2025 09:42

Chicago enters on a two-game loss streak with its pitching staff limiting opponents to an average of six runs over the past week, even while working through rotation injuries. Pittsburgh, mired in a poor run of form, may again be without one of its key leadoff bats due to a recent injury, leaving the offense overly dependent on players with a poor track record against Cubs pitching. Chicago’s bullpen, led by a strong slider-heavy reliever, has helped shorten games effectively. With crosswinds expected to keep fly balls in play and both lineups struggling to cash in scoring chances early in the season, the under 8.5 total presents a solid value at close to even money. It’s a sharp angle worth backing, earning a B+ grade for its probability and return.

This one just has all the ingredients of a quiet night offensively—solid arms, sketchy bats, and wind working in your favor. It’s not a guarantee, but for the price, the under feels like a really smart play.

Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 29/04/2025 09:42

Pittsburgh returns home after a two-game slide but has remained competitive as of late, logging nine one-run games over the past two weeks. That gritty trend meets a Cubs team with a strong overall record but one that’s struggled to hold leads recently due to a taxed bullpen and a key reliever on the injured list. With rotation depth tested, Chicago hands the ball to a reliable arm whose fastball-heavy approach has already been tagged by Pittsburgh bats in the past. On the mound for the Pirates is a left-hander who’s consistently performed well against Chicago, including success against key hitters in the lineup. With the Cubs' bullpen in flux and the Pirates showing late-game fight, taking Pittsburgh +1.5 offers enough safety and value to merit a confident B grade.

If Chicago keeps leaking runs late and Pittsburgh keeps hanging around, that extra run and a half feels like solid insurance. This isn’t just a fade of the Cubs—it’s about how often these games tighten up by the ninth. Feels like the smart side here.

Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 29/04/2025 09:43