Earliest Cash - Rickenbach MLB Game #952 Monday 8* Chicago Cubs Money Line (-) vs Pittsburgh Pirates @ 2:20 ET - As long time followers know, I do not play big 2 to 1 favorites in baseball and I rarely ever even play favorites in the -150 range. Most of my plays in MLB are totals and dogs with a few small faves mixed in. As for this particular case, there is tremendous line value on this one as the Cubs opened up at very nearly a 2 to 1 favorite but are now down as low as a -149 as of the time of this write-up Monday morning. The reason for the drop is that the Pirates are a surprising 7-2 to start the season and Cubs starter Tyler Chatwood's overall numbers in recent seasons aren't that impressive and Chicago is expected to be without Anthony Rizzo (back). About this issues, first off the Bucs good start is certainly commendable but it is a good idea not to over-react too early in the season. Keep in mind, coming into this season the Cubs were projected to finish 20 games in front of the Pirates in the division! As for Rizzo, the Cubs have plenty of other lumber to make up for his absence. As for Chatwood, his numbers were skewed by pitching home games at hitter-friendly Coors Field. In his road games the past two seasons he had a 2.57 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Also his fastball has been on an uptick in velocity and his curve has a great spin rate on its rotation and breaks much better in dense air compared to the thin air of Coors Field. Add it all up and I'll take Chatwood over Ivan Nova in a home opener at this price range any time! Nova was 3-12 with a 5.02 ERA on the road last season. 8* CHICAGO CUBS