The Pittsburgh Pirates are 65-86 this season and lost game one of the series to the Cubs 4-0. Pittsburgh has lost nine of its last ten games, and it is last in the NL Central. Pittsburgh has a team ERA of 3.87 and a 1.22 WHIP. Paul Skenes will go for the Pirates. He is 10-9 with a 1.92 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP in 178.0 innings. The Chicago Cubs are 86-64 this season with a magic number of 2 to make the playoffs. Chicago has won five of their last six games. Chicago has a team ERA of 3.83 and a 1.19 WHIP. Cade Horton gets the start for the Cubs. He is 10-4 with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP in 110.0 innings. The Cubs are just five games back in the NL Central. The Cubs are 40-35 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 42-34 at home. Skenes has allowed a total of one earned run in his last four outings. Horton has allowed a total of four earned runs in his last five starts. You have two of the better young pitchers on the mound today. Skenes is the better pitcher, but the Pirates are last in MLB in runs scored and can’t seem to score when Skenes is on the mound. I will take the Cubs to win this one late in what will be a pitcher’s duel.
Play: Chicago Cubs +120
