Pirates vs Cubs Predictions, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds & Picks, April 21th

Offense Not Clicking for Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have had trouble scoring runs on the road this season, scoring a total of 16 runs in six road games, with nine of those runs coming in the only road win. The three-game sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers saw Pittsburgh manage a total of five runs, which isn’t going to land a team many victories.

The Pirates have hit just eight home runs this season, with first baseman Daniel Vogelbach and outfielder Bryan Reynolds each hitting two of those. Vogelbach is batting .324 with a double, three RBIs and seven runs scored, while Reynolds is batting just .227 with three RBIs and three runs scored.

Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes has been the most consistent at the plate, batting .326 with four doubles, four RBIs and five runs scored. A big problem for the Pirates offense has been strikeouts, with five players striking out 10 or more times this season.

Right-hander Bryse Wilson will be on the mound for the series opener on Thursday. Wilson is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA in two starts this season. Wilson’s last outing was solid, as he lasted 4⅓ innings and allowed two runs on four hits to the Washington Nationals on Saturday, striking out two and walking three.

Cubs Already Reshuffling their Pitching Deck

The Chicago Cubs had trouble on the mound on Wednesday, with Marcus Stroman allowing seven runs in 4⅓ innings in a rain-shortened loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. The team also announced a trade with the Atlanta Braves to bring left-hander Sean Newcomb to Chicago, hopefully building some depth for the team.

“I know he’s got electric stuff,” Cubs manager David Ross said of Newcomb after the trade was announced. “He’s struggled with command a little bit, from what I’ve seen. But it’s funny, an old teammate of mine who had him in Atlanta for a while, Brian McCann, raves about him and his stuff.”

Newcomb was designated for assignment after three appearances in 2022, giving up four runs in five total innings with four strikeouts and four walks.

Chicago will have right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. getting the start on Thursday. The 31-year-old is 0-1 with an 18.90 ERA after one start, going 3⅓ innings against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday and allowing seven runs on five hits.

Rookie Seiya Suzuki walked in Wednesday’s game to reach base for the 12th straight contest at the start of his career, setting a new team record. Suzuki is batting .387 with two doubles, four home runs, 11 RBIs and nine runs scored.

Pirates vs Cubs Head-to-Head

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs split their first two matchups this season in a series played in Pittsburgh. In 2021, the Cubs dominated the season series between these division rivals, taking 14 of the 19 games played.

Playing at Wrigley Field, Chicago had an 8-2 advantage in 2021 and has gone 19-3 against the Pirates in the Friendly Confines since the start of the 2019 campaign. The MLB lines see that trend continuing in this one, with the Cubs getting the advantage.

Pirates vs Cubs Game Information

• Game: Pirates (5-7) vs Cubs (6-6)
• Location: Wrigley Field
• Day/Time: Thursday, Apirl 21th. 7:40 p.m. ET
• Pirates vs CubsLive stream: MLB.tv

Pirates vs CubsBetting Lines

Pirates vs Cubs Prediction

The Pittsburgh Pirates have really struggled on the road this season, and that will likely continue in this one. The Chicago Cubs have dominated the Pirates at Wrigley Field in the recent past, and that will continue on Thursday.

When doing your MLB betting, take Chicago to pick up the win at home.

Pick: Chicago Cubs -159