PredictionsUnited StatesPittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs
MLBSat 12 Sept, 14:20 United States time

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs prediction

Wrigley Field

Pittsburgh PiratesAway
4.4 : 4.8
projected runs
Chicago CubsHome
46%Pirates
54%Cubs
Eagle safe pickCubs +1.5
-194

Quick answer

Our prediction for Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs is Chicago Cubs to win, with a 54% chance, but it is a close call. We project Pittsburgh Pirates 4.4 and Chicago Cubs 4.8. Our best bet is Cubs +1.5 at -194.

Prediction
Chicago Cubs to win
Chance
54%
Projected score
Pittsburgh Pirates 4, Chicago Cubs 5
Projected total
9.2 runs
Best bet
Cubs +1.5 at -194

Note: This is our view from the numbers, not a sure thing. One injury, one turnover or one late score can change any game.

The eagle's three picks

Eagle safe pick

Cubs +1.5
68% chancePrice -194+2.6% value1 unit

Note: Safe is the bet most likely to win. Value is where the price pays more than it should. Bold pays more but loses more often. A unit is your normal stake.

Why we think this

  1. 1
    What our numbers say

    The model gives Chicago Cubs 54% and Pittsburgh Pirates 46%. The bookmakers agree and make Chicago Cubs the favourite at -126.

  2. 2
    Recent form

    Chicago Cubs won 1 of their last 5 and Pittsburgh Pirates won 4 of their last 5. Pittsburgh Pirates come in with the better run.

  3. 3
    Home and away

    Chicago Cubs won 4 of their last 8 games at home. Pittsburgh Pirates won 7 of their last 13 on the road.

  4. 4
    Scoring

    Chicago Cubs score 6.8 runs a game and let in 4.9. Pittsburgh Pirates score 3.5 and let in 3.6. Their recent games average 11.7 and 7.1 runs in total, and the market line is 9.

  5. 5
    Head to head

    In the last 5 meetings, Chicago Cubs won 4 and Pittsburgh Pirates won 1. The last one ended Chicago Cubs 12, Pittsburgh Pirates 2.

  6. 6
    The safest bet

    Cubs +1.5 has a 68% chance, the highest of the bets worth taking here.

Note: Every reason here comes from real results and real prices. We do not guess and we do not copy tipsters.

Match preview

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs: Chicago Cubs shade it

The big picture

Chicago Cubs host Pittsburgh Pirates in the MLB on Sat 12 Sept, 14:20 at Wrigley Field. Our prediction for Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs is Chicago Cubs to win, with a 54% chance, but it is a close call. We project Pittsburgh Pirates 4.4 and Chicago Cubs 4.8. Our best bet is Cubs +1.5 at -194.

Chicago Cubs form

Chicago Cubs have 8 wins and 12 losses in their last 20 games, with 136 runs scored and 98 conceded. At home they have 4 wins and 4 losses from 8. Their last 5 results read W, L, L, L, L, newest first.

Pittsburgh Pirates form

Pittsburgh Pirates have 12 wins and 8 losses in their last 20 games, with 69 runs scored and 73 conceded. Away from home they have 7 wins and 6 losses from 13. Their last 5 results read L, W, W, W, W, newest first.

Head to head

These two have met 5 times in our records. Chicago Cubs won 4, Pittsburgh Pirates won 1. Last time out it finished Chicago Cubs 12, Pittsburgh Pirates 2.

Our call

We expect Pittsburgh Pirates to score about 4.4 runs and Chicago Cubs about 4.8. That points to Chicago Cubs to win. Our safest bet is Cubs +1.5 at -194.

Note: This preview is written from our data and updates as new results and prices come in.

Team records

Last 20 games in all competitions.

CubsPirates
Games played2020
Wins812
Losses128
Runs scored13669
Runs conceded9873
Scored per game6.83.5
Conceded per game4.93.6
Home record4W 4L5W 2L
Away record4W 8L7W 6L

Note: W is a win and L a loss. A team with more games at home or away can look better or worse than it is.

Price check against DraftKings

BetOur chanceFairPriceValue
Cubs to win54%-115-126-3.9%
Pirates to win46%+115+104-5.3%
Cubs +1.568%-210-194+2.6%
Pirates -1.532%+210+159-16.4%
Over 9 runs52%-108-111-1.2%
Under 9 runs48%+108-109-7.9%

Note: Green value means the price pays more than our fair price. We only call it a value pick from 3% up, because small gaps can be noise.

Spread and total at every line

Cubs spreadCoversFair
Cubs -2.531%+222
Cubs -1.540%+150
Cubs -0.549%+103
Cubs +0.559%-142
Cubs +1.568%-210
Total runsOverUnder
7.565%35%
8.556%44%
9.547%53%
10.538%62%
11.530%70%

Note: A spread gives one team a head start. Cubs +3.5 wins if Cubs win or lose by 3 or fewer. If the result lands exactly on the line, your stake comes back.

Questions people ask

Who will win Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs?

Our prediction for Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs is Chicago Cubs to win, with a 54% chance, but it is a close call. We project Pittsburgh Pirates 4.4 and Chicago Cubs 4.8. Our best bet is Cubs +1.5 at -194.

What is the projected score for Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs?

We project Pittsburgh Pirates 4.4 and Chicago Cubs 4.8, about 9.2 runs in total.

How are Chicago Cubs playing?

Chicago Cubs have 8 wins and 12 losses in their last 20 games, with 136 runs scored and 98 conceded. At home they have 4 wins and 4 losses from 8. Their last 5 results read W, L, L, L, L, newest first.

How are Pittsburgh Pirates playing?

Pittsburgh Pirates have 12 wins and 8 losses in their last 20 games, with 69 runs scored and 73 conceded. Away from home they have 7 wins and 6 losses from 13. Their last 5 results read L, W, W, W, W, newest first.

What happened when Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates last met?

It ended Chicago Cubs 12, Pittsburgh Pirates 2. In the last 5 meetings Chicago Cubs won 4 and Pittsburgh Pirates won 1.

What is the best bet for Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs?

Cubs +1.5 at -194, with a 68% chance. That price pays about 2.6% more than our fair price.

Note: Answers change as prices move. We check every game again every 30 minutes.