Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 8/26/24 – As the baseball season is getting hotter, the coming contest between Chicago Cubs (65-66) and Pittsburgh Pirates (62-68) at PNC Park is certain to be an exciting clash. Set for Monday, 26th August 2024 at 6:40 PM ET, this game will present two teams that have performed differently in their last games making it a captivating one for fans and gamblers as well. We shall discuss the multi-handicapping analysis as we look into deeper details of this game for bettors.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 8/26/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Monday, August 26, 2024, at 6:40 PM ET |
| Where: | PNC Park |
| TV: | – |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Chicago Cubs (65-66) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (62-68)
Just below .500 at the moment, the Cubs have had a season of ups and downs. Still, they have shown signs of recovery in their most recent performances, having won four out of five games. The Cubs’ team batting average is .236, and they have 1030 hits that led to 559 runs batted in. While not being the most powerful offensive club in the league with only .311 batting average, their ability to score runs and get on base has kept them alive. Notably, these are some of the defining characteristics of this Toronto Blue Jays-Boston Red Sox match.
On the other hand, Pittsburgh Pirates also lag behind from standings albeit a similar statistical profile. They bat .234 as opposed to Cubs who have a .236 batting average; however, Pirates have scored fewer runs compared to their counterparts having only managed just 537 runs. Their slugging percentage is .370 and have been struggling lately with several botched opportunities but still remain competitive due to persistence and strategy play it might be seen in Atlanta Braves-Minnesota Twins clash.
Jameson Taillon (8-8, 3.77 ERA) vs. Mitch Keller (11-4, 3.76 ERA)
Jameson Taillon of the Cubs has had a mix and match season, with a 3.77 ERA and an even 8-8 win/loss record. In just 126.2 innings of pitching, Taillon managed to maintain a WHIP of 1.20 indicating he is good at regulating the number of hits and walks given out to opposing batters. This year, he has focused on damage limitation from the mound, which will be key in this game. By having a strikeout ratio of 101:26, Taillon showed his meticulousness and dominance that can’t go for nothing against Pirates team who have not been able to miss those kinds mistakes.
On the flipside, with a strong record of 11-4 and an ERA almost similar to Taillon at 3.76, Mitch Keller leads the Pirates’ pitching staff. In 148.1 innings of work, Keller has shown slightly better control with WHIP of 1.21 and recorded 134 strikeouts. Keeping their hitters in check will require his ability to suppress home runs since he only gave out 17 this season; all these are quite important for suppressing the Cubs’ batters. This pitcher is a picture of command and someone who can turn the game around favourably for Pittsburgh.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: Chicago Cubs -1.5 +148, Total Odds: 8.5
The betting lines for this game show the Cubs slightly favored on the spread, despite their overall season struggles, suggesting that the betting market values their recent form and pitching matchup. The total set at 8.5 with a slight preference towards the over reflects expectations for some offensive production from both teams.
Chicago Cubs Betting Trends
The Cubs have shown a solid trend of covering the spread in recent games, going 4-1 in their last 5 contests. Their road game performance has been notably strong, covering the spread in 34 of 65 games. The total has gone OVER in four of their last five games, indicating a trend towards higher-scoring games, likely due to their offensive bursts and occasional pitching lapses.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends
Similarly, the Pirates have been successful against the spread, particularly in road games, with a record of 38-27 this season. They’ve managed to keep the total UNDER in three of their last five games, highlighting a trend towards tighter, more controlled games when they’re involved, influenced by Keller’s strong pitching.
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 8/26/24 Betting Picks
It looks like the Cubs have a small advantage in this matchup based on recent performance and statistical analysis, mainly with Taillon acting as their starting pitcher. Nevertheless, the Pirates are not pushovers at home with Keller leading from the front. If you are eyeing for some free expert baseball picks, then it is advisable to bet on Cubs covering the spread but the wiser choice would be for the total going OVER as both teams tend to lose their games.