PREMIUM
Rogers' Afternoon ASSAULT >> AWESOME 19-10-1 MLB Run!
(MLB) Pittsburgh vs. Chi Cubs,
Money Line: -165.00 Chi Cubs (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -165.00 Chi Cubs (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Pittsburgh Pirates were just 1-8 in the "Friendly Confines" in 2016 but Andrew McCutchen's go-ahead, three-run HR in a five-run seventh inning on Saturday made them 2-0 there in 2017. The Pirates won 4-2 on Friday and then 8-7 on Saturday, assuring the Cubs of their first series loss since mid-September of 2016. Reigning National League MVP Kris Bryant hit his first two HRs of the season on Saturday but the Cubs have just nine dingers through their first 11 games. Chicago is just 6-5 and needs to salvage a win in the finale of this series, to avoid slipping to .500.
The pitching matchup: Jameson Taillon (0-0 & 1.38 ERA) will take the mound in Wrigley for Pittsburgh, opposed by Chicago's Jon Lester (0-0 & 1.64 ERA). Taillon has pitched well enough to win in each of his first two outings of 2017 but has yet to earn a "W." He pitched seven scoreless innings at Boston and then allowed just two runs over six innings against Cincinnati. Taillon has registered 10 strikeouts and four walks over 13 innings with a 1.38 ERA and 1.00 WHIP but the Pirates are 0-2 in his starts. Taillon faced the Cubs twice last season, going 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA. Lester knows how Taillon feels. He has also failed to earn a "W." despite two string performances to open the 2017 season. He has seven Ks in each of his two starts, limiting the Cards to one run over five innings and holding the Dodgers to one in six innings. He does not have a decision yet, although the Cubs are 1-1 in his starts. Lester is 4-3 with a 2.68 ERA in eight career starts against the Pirates (teams are 4-4).
The pick: The Pirates aim for their first sweep at Wrigley since Sept. 5-7, 2014 but remember Pittsburgh was an 88-win team that season, while the Cubs went 73-89, finishing in the basement of the NL Central back then. Eight of the Chicago's first 11 games have been decided by two runs or less, with the Cubs going 3-5 in those contests. Be assured, that will change. How about right here? After all, the Cubs owned MLB's best home record in 2016, going 57-24. Make the Cubs an 8* play.
The pitching matchup: Jameson Taillon (0-0 & 1.38 ERA) will take the mound in Wrigley for Pittsburgh, opposed by Chicago's Jon Lester (0-0 & 1.64 ERA). Taillon has pitched well enough to win in each of his first two outings of 2017 but has yet to earn a "W." He pitched seven scoreless innings at Boston and then allowed just two runs over six innings against Cincinnati. Taillon has registered 10 strikeouts and four walks over 13 innings with a 1.38 ERA and 1.00 WHIP but the Pirates are 0-2 in his starts. Taillon faced the Cubs twice last season, going 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA. Lester knows how Taillon feels. He has also failed to earn a "W." despite two string performances to open the 2017 season. He has seven Ks in each of his two starts, limiting the Cards to one run over five innings and holding the Dodgers to one in six innings. He does not have a decision yet, although the Cubs are 1-1 in his starts. Lester is 4-3 with a 2.68 ERA in eight career starts against the Pirates (teams are 4-4).
The pick: The Pirates aim for their first sweep at Wrigley since Sept. 5-7, 2014 but remember Pittsburgh was an 88-win team that season, while the Cubs went 73-89, finishing in the basement of the NL Central back then. Eight of the Chicago's first 11 games have been decided by two runs or less, with the Cubs going 3-5 in those contests. Be assured, that will change. How about right here? After all, the Cubs owned MLB's best home record in 2016, going 57-24. Make the Cubs an 8* play.
