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MLB Over/Under Best Bet: Lester, Taillon poised for duel in series finale from Wrigley

By Matt Zylbert

Apr 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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When the Pirates and Cubs conclude their three-game set Sunday, it could be in the form of a good ol’ fashioned pitcher’s duel between two potential ’17 All-Stars.

Unfortunately, yesterday’s under bet went awry despite Sean Manaea carrying a no-hitter deep into the ballgame (and departing with one, too!), but Lance McCullers simply did us no favors, capped off by some bad bullpen work all around. Let’s shoot to get back into the win column today with his high-potential under.

Zylbert’s 2017 MLB Over/Under Betting Record: 6-8-2, -280

Yesterday’s Result: McCullers vs Manaea Under 8 (Loss)

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Chicago Cubs

Jameson Taillon vs Jon Lester

UNDER 8.5 (-120) (via OddsShark)

The notorious Wrigley Field winds will be blowing out a bit this afternoon but that’s a chance we’ll take, especially with the over/under line being set at 8.5 for this series finale.

Actually, if the winds weren’t blowing out, the line for this affair would be considerably lower, given this stellar pitching matchup boasting two stud arms from the NL Central.

On one side, there’s established proven veteran Jon Lester, who has continued to shine thus far in 2017. He’s been especially tremendous at home, where the Cubs have won his last 11 regular season starts, with the left-handed posting a remarkable 1.41 ERA over that span. He also owns excellent career numbers versus the Bucs, while a handful of their key bats have struggled opposite the 33-year-old.

Going for the Pirates, it’ll be someone who has also been thriving through two starts, that being highly intriguing youngster Jameson Taillon. The 25-year-old right-handed is in his first full season in the big leagues, yet carries himself like a polished top-of-the-rotation stud, which is exactly what he’s going to turn out to be (he was one of my top two sleepers along with Sean Manaea coming into the year, by the way).

He already plays the part, as evident in how he completely shut down the Red Sox in his season debut, before following that up with another gem against the surging Reds. With both starters in such steady grooves entering today’s assignment, the under looks like a nice play here.

*Always check back to see if additional action has been added.

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