PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's MLB Game of the Week
(MLB) Chi Cubs vs. Pittsburgh,
Money Line: 125.00 Pittsburgh (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: 125.00 Pittsburgh (Home)
Result: Loss
Granted, Jake Arrieta is the hottest pitcher in baseball. But the Pirates are home and have their own ace going, Gerrit Cole.
The Pirates are 8-1 against the Cubs with Cole on the mound. They are 14-2 in Coles' last 16 home starts versus opponents with a winning record. Pittsburgh also is 23-5 in Cole's last 28 starts at PNC Park.
Cole has allowed just six runs to the Cubs this season in four starts.
The Pirates are familiar with Arrieta having faced him five times this year, twice during the last two weeks of the season. The Pirates have postseason experience. The Cubs don't.
It wouldn't be shocking to see Arrieta not pitching as well as he has since he's already exceeded his career high in innings this season by 73 2/3 innings.
Home field and bullpen have to be factored, too. Pittsburgh went 53-28 at PNC Park. The Pirates' bullpen is much better than Chicago's both ERA and OPS-wise.
The Pirates are 8-1 against the Cubs with Cole on the mound. They are 14-2 in Coles' last 16 home starts versus opponents with a winning record. Pittsburgh also is 23-5 in Cole's last 28 starts at PNC Park.
Cole has allowed just six runs to the Cubs this season in four starts.
The Pirates are familiar with Arrieta having faced him five times this year, twice during the last two weeks of the season. The Pirates have postseason experience. The Cubs don't.
It wouldn't be shocking to see Arrieta not pitching as well as he has since he's already exceeded his career high in innings this season by 73 2/3 innings.
Home field and bullpen have to be factored, too. Pittsburgh went 53-28 at PNC Park. The Pirates' bullpen is much better than Chicago's both ERA and OPS-wise.
