Cubs vs. Pirates Prediction and Odds for Tuesday, June 21 (Chicago's Matt Swarmer a Major Liability on the Mound)
By Matt De Saro
NL Central rivals clash on Tuesday when the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs do battle at Wrigley Field. They are among the worst teams in the National League and neither are even close to having a .500 record. What luck that we get to enjoy both of these dumpster fires on the field together.
It’s hard to pick two worse teams right now. Heading into this series, the Cubs went 5-12 in their previous 17 games. At one point they lost 10 in a row. The Pirates, meanwhile, entered this series 4-12 in their previous 16.
If anything, the Pirates at least have a better arm on the mound today with Roansy Contreras making his sixth start.
Here are the odds for this game, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.
Cubs vs. Pirates Odds, Run Line, and Total
Run Line
- Cubs: +1.5 (-160)
- Pirates: -1.5 (+130)
Moneyline:
- Cubs: +138
- Pirates: -148
Total:
- Total 8.5 (Over -120/Under +100)
Cubs vs. Pirates Prediction and Pick
Contreras started the year as a reliever but quickly worked his way into the rotation at the start of May. He’s been very good since that point with a 2.74 ERA as a starter in 24 ⅔ innings. Contreras has struggled recently with six runs allowed in his last nine innings. But, I think the situation is far worse on the Cubs' side of the diamond today.
Matt Swarmer will suit up for his fifth start for Chicago despite a very rough season up until this point. Swarmer enters at 1-2 with a 5.23 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 20 ⅔ innings pitched. He’s seen his ERA rise in each of his four starts this ear with the last two being particularly bad. Over his last two starts, spanning 8 ⅔ innings, the Swarmer allowed 10 runs on 11 hits while walking five and striking out nine.
While I don’t hold either team in particularly high regard, I do think the Pirates have a significant advantage on the hill with Contreras getting the start.
Pick: Pirates ML (-148)
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