Pirates vs. Cubs Prediction and Odds for Thursday, April 21 (Chicago to Bounce Back vs. Buccos)
By Ben Heisler
After what appeared to be a promising start to the homestand, the Chicago Cubs came back to earth. They've given up early leads to the Tampa Bay Rays in their last two games and hope to turn things around with the Pittsburgh Pirates in town for the first of four at Wrigley Field.
Chicago sends right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. to the bump for his second start of the season while the Pirates counter with fellow righty Bryse Wilson.
As both teams hover around .500 in the NL Central heading into the series, can either of them build some momentum into the weekend?
Here are the latest odds for today's opener on the north side at WynnBET Sportsbook.
Pirates vs. Cubs Odds, Run Line, Total
Run Line:
- Pirates: +1.5 (-160)
- Cubs: -1.5 (+130)
Moneyline:
- Pirates: +142
- Cubs: -152
Total: 8.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Pirates vs. Cubs Prediction and Pick
The Cubs' offense has been very good for the most part this year and I'll back them to navigate a win on the moneyline in Game 1 tonight behind that offense.
Chicago has been a more patient team than the previous few years at the plate, and newly signed outfielder Seiya Suzuki has been a huge part of their success. The Japanese superstar is hitting .387 in the early going with an OPS+ of 303! League average is 100.
Chicago also has six guys in their starting lineup with an average exit velocity off the bat of 90+ mph. They're smoking the baseball even in inclement weather conditions, and now that things are warming up a tad at Wrigley, they should have a successful approach vs. Wilson today.
Leiter Jr. will need to bounce back from his previous start where he only lasted 3.1 innings, giving up seven runs at hitter-friendly Coors Field. A return to Wrigley should settle him down and help lead the Cubs to a win at home.
LEAN: Cubs moneyline -152
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