Tuesday, September 22, 2020, PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 7:05 p.m. ET
Cubs at Pirates Betting Preview: Cubs (NA), Pirates (NA)
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs, closing in on the National League Central title, will aim for their 10th win in 14 games when they visit the Pirates in the second contest of a four-game set. Chicago (32-22) won the opener 5-0 as Kyle Schwarber contributed a two-run double one day after being pulled from a game against the Minnesota Twins for misplaying a ball in the outfield.
Former NL MVP Kris Bryant has experienced a dreadful season, batting just .195 with two homers and five RBIs, and he was dealt another injury blow when he left in the third inning Monday after hurting his right oblique. Bryant has dealt with back, elbow and wrist injuries during this season and was termed as day-to-day by manager David Ross due to the latest ailment. Bryant’s bat isn’t the only one that has been substandard, as lineup staples Schwarber (.198), Javier Baez (.206) and Anthony Rizzo (.213) also have struggled.
Left-hander Jose Quintana (0-0, 6.00 ERA) will be activated prior to the contest to make his first start and third appearance of the season. The 31-year-old veteran missed the first month of the campaign due to a left thumb injury and made two relief appearances in late August before sustaining a left lat injury. Quintana is 5-2 with a 3.61 ERA in 11 career starts against the Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates have lost five consecutive games, 13 of 14 and possess the worst record in the majors at 15-39. Pittsburgh had just four singles in the Monday loss and has tallied just 12 runs during the five-game slide.
First baseman Josh Bell looked as if he would be a fixture after batting .277 with career highs of 37 homers, 37 doubles and 116 RBIs last season. However, he has never found the mark this season while striking out in 55 of 177 at-bats while producing a .227 average with seven homers and 19 RBIs. Bell was 0-for-3 as the designated hitter in the series opener and is hitless in 15 at-bats over the past six games.
Left-hander Steven Brault (1-3, 4.04 ERA) should be brimming with confidence after throwing his first career complete game in his last outing. The 28-year-old gave up one run and two hits while striking out a season-best eight in a 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. Brault fanned four in three perfect innings in a start against the Cubs on Aug. 2. But he usually struggles against Chicago — 0-2 with a 7.62 ERA in 15 career appearances (six starts). He won’t be bummed out if Bryant (8-for-16, two homers against him) is out of the lineup.
Cubs at Pirates Betting Pick for September 22, 2020
Chicago has been picking up steam down the stretch and has plenty to play for with the division title likely being clinched later this week. The Pirates are playing out the string of a poor season. As quiet as the Pittsburgh bats have been, the Cubs will have no trouble winning if they receive solid pitching.
Cubs at Pirates Betting Pick:
Cubs 4, Pirates 1
Cubs at Pirates Best Bet for September 22, 2020
If Brault can follow his last outing with another strong one, runs will be hard to come by for the Cubs. Since Pittsburgh is having issues scoring, the under appears to be a solid play.
Cubs at Pirates Best Bet: UNDER (NA)
–Field Level Media
