Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates 6/20/2023 Picks Predictions Previews
The Chicago Cubs will go against the Pittsburgh Pirates in MLB action in PNC Park, PA, on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 7:05 PM ET. Before this series, the Cubs were 4.0 games out of first place after a 7-2 run.
Another victory for Chicago should be in the cards, with Marcus Stroman scheduled to start this game. His six starts for the Cubs resulted in victories, as he limited each of his opponents to two runs or less.
We’ve seen this movie before because his most recent start was against the Pirates (6.0 innings pitched, two earned runs).
While the rest of the club struggled, the Stro Show kept Chicago afloat. The pitcher who leads the National League in ERA, WHIP, and H/9 may properly direct a push toward the NL Central championship.
Due mainly to how well they destroyed the Pirates’ pitching last week, a club ranked 13th in runs per game is where it is. The Cubs scored 28 runs in that three-game series, or more than nine runs per game.
With Chicago having the third-highest walk rate in MLB, getting on base isn’t a problem. Driving them in was not as simple due to a 25th-ranked strikeout rate.
A wave of runs follows when the hits start to come in. The question is whether the Cubs can regularly get those hits.
During the season, the Cubs used 221 bullpen pitchers. Of the 94 runners the relief pitchers have inherited thus far this season, 28.7% of them advanced to the plate.
They’ve made 10 saves so far this year but missed six of their last 16 chances. The Cubs’ relief pitchers appeared on the mound in 50 save opportunities and have a cumulative save percentage of 62.5%.
Relief pitchers recorded 33 holds this season, ranking 25th in the league. There were runners on base when the Cubs’ bullpen pitchers took the mound 57 times, in addition to 53 outings in high-leverage situations.
- The total remained UNDER in 13 Chicago Cubs’ last 20 matches.
- The Chi Cubs are 6-1 SU in their last 7 matches.
- The Cubs are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Predictions 6/20/2023
The Pittsburgh Pirates are disintegrating after taking a commanding lead in the NL Central, creating another classic story’s beginnings. Pittsburgh is again looking up in the standings after an extended losing streak, just like in May.
Poor pitching, which gave up at least five runs in their previous six losses, is to blame for their current series. After giving up four runs when he faced this Cubs team the previous week, Johan Oviedo gets another chance.
The OPS of five Chicago hitters against Oviedo is more than 1.000. Although he performed better at home, his 9.0 H/9 and 1.467 WHIP are far from ideal.
During the six-game losing streak that opened this series, the Pirates only scored 17 runs in total or less than three per game. Due to this slump, they dropped to the 21st spot in runs per game this year.
The Pirates, who rank fourth in walk rate, have a similar walk rate to Chicago but significantly fewer strikeouts. Only three teams have had more base steals than the Pirates throughout the season.
Pittsburgh isn’t a team that frequently threatens to leave the field, but they can produce lots of runs when they’re on. They aren’t in the groove at the moment.
The Pirates now have 63 save opportunities, with 34 holds and nine missed saves. In 28 save opportunities, Pittsburgh asked relievers to take the mound, and they secured 19 saves.
Their bullpen pitchers entered the game on 60 occasions with base runners and 64 times in high-leverage situations.
They sent 216 bullpen pitchers to the mound this season and are ranked eighth in baseball with a save percentage of 67.9%.
- The Pittsburgh Pirates are 0-7 SU in their last 7 matches.
- The total went OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 5 matches against the Chi Cubs.
- The Pirates are 2-4 SU in their last 6 matches at home.
Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates. The MLB pick for this game is the Chicago Cubs. It’s a win day for the Cubs because Marcus Stroman is taking the mound.
Given how Pittsburgh is currently playing, he ought to shut them down once more. Johan Oviedo is under pressure to perform well against the Cubs and keep the game close before turning the ball over to the bullpen.
With the way the Cubs’ bats were making contact, that probably won’t happen. This should be an easy win for Chicago, and they only need approximately four runs to do so. The Chicago Cubs will win by a predicted score of 7-2.
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Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates 6/20/2023 Picks Predictions Previews
MLB Starting Time: 7:05 PM ET
Location: PNC Park, PA
Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2023
TV: AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
MLB Odds: Chicago Cubs -125
MLB Totals: 8