Posted on
4/10/2008 4:10:02 PM
MLB Betting - Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
By Mike Rose
The Cubs increased their winning streak to four games last night at PNC Park after Felix Pie wrapped a bases loaded single to plate two in the top of the 15th inning. SportsBook bettors should note that recently called up Sean Marshall took the ball in the bottom of the inning and notched his first career save in the big leagues. The sports betting community will have noticed the game had a number of story lines, but the biggest one had to be the effort Ryan Dempster put forth in his second start of the season. He was simply untouchable going seven strong innings giving up one hit and no earned runs while striking out five and walking two. Lou Piniella begrudgingly decided to turn to his pen in the eighth inning only to see Kerry Wood give up Pirate slugger Jason Bay’s first home run of the season in the bottom of the ninth to tie it up. Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez launched a two-run bomb in the top of the 14th, but the Pirates answered in the bottom of the inning when Adam Laroche snapped an 0-for-25 slide by belting a no doubter into the right field bleachers in the bottom of the inning. The Cubs bullpen has thrown 17 1/3rd innings its L/3 games, while the Pirates pen has tossed 19 2/3rds innings its L/3. Looking to give each of their pens a break this evening will be the Cubs Rich Hill and the Pirates Matt Morris.
Lefty Rich Hill put forth a solid effort in his first start of the season against the Astros last week, but he was once again let down by his offense and took the no decision in the 4-3 setback. He gave up two runs on four hits and three walks over six innings. In five career starts against the Pirates, Hill is 2-1 and has only surrendered 29 hits in 32+ innings of work. The Chicago Cubs lost both of his PNC starts last season.
Matt Morris got abused in his first start of the season against Florida. He allowed Marlins hitters to tag him for eight hits and four runs (three earned), while throwing 98 pitches in just five innings of work. He has however held his own against the Cubs in his career going 12-8 with a 4.50 ERA in 27 career starts. Both games he threw against them last year were of the higher scoring variety, and that trend might continue tonight with the way he looked in Florida.
The Cubs opened up as –130 road favorites, but were quickly but up to its current position of –140 with the total set at 9 over (-125). You can get down on both the side and total for this game at BetUS.com right now!
The Pirates are 2-5 SU their L/7 games against a left-handed starter, and as an underdog with Morris on the mound. The Cubs have won five in a row against the Buccos dating back to last season, but they’re a poor 2-5 SU in Rich Hill’s L/7 starts as a road favorite.
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