posted May 23, 2008 at 14:48 in MLB Free Picks

The Pittsburgh Pirates avoided the sweep in Thursday night’s MLB online betting affair as they outscored the Milwaukee Brewers 8-4 to snap its three-game losing streak. Buccos starter, Tom Gorzelanny, allowed eight hits and walked four through five innings of work, but only allowed the Brewers to tally a pair of runs. The bullpen closed it out for him allowing just two more runs over four innings to secure the home sports betting win and cash their MLB bettors online sportsbook moneyline tickets in the process. The win now finds the Pirates three games under .500 at 22-25, and they improved their mark at PNC Park to 13-10. The Chicago Cubs got a rare off day to recuperate after they lost their three game set against the Houston Astros earlier in the week. Sports betting enthusiasts have been wise to fade them on the road thus far as they’ve only managed a 9-11 SU mark to date. That said they’re still atop the NL Central with a 28-19 overall mark one game ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals. Chicago’s had no problem with the Pirates this season winning eight of their first nine match-ups, which includes a sweep in this venue way back in early April.

Carlos Zambrano will make his 11th start of the season amidst rumors of him having problems with his throwing shoulder. He’s vehemently denied the rumors all week long, but his last outing leaves cause for concern after getting yanked after just four innings of work against these same Pirates who tagged him for seven hits and five runs (four earned). He enters this start with a solid 6-1 record and 2.45 ERA, but the Cubs have managed to win just six of his 10 overall starts. He had won his previous two starts against Pittsburgh before last weeks no decision, and is 9-5 with a 3.59 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 19 career starts against the Pirates.

Opposing him will be left-hander Zach Duke who will be facing the Cubs for the second consecutive start and will take the same approach into this outing as he did into the last. Duke mixed up his pitches and limited the number of first-pitch fastballs he threw in order to keep the free-swinging Cubs off balance. He didn't pick up a decision in the start even though he settled down after allowing three early runs to allow just one more tally in his final five innings of work. Overall, Duke’s 2-2 with a 4.23 ERA, but he’s 2-1 at home and his ERA drops almost a full point to 3.42. Duke’s 4-3 against Chicago with a 2.84 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 11 career starts.

Oddsmakers opened the Cubs lofty –185 road favorites in tonight’s baseball betting affair with the ‘total’ set at 8.5 over -120. BetUS.com offers all MLB betting odds be it side, total, or run-line, so be sure to login to your account and get your wagers down before tonight’s first pitch.

Chicago’s 11-1 the L/12 overall meetings with their division rivals, and they’re a solid 10-5 against left-handed starters this season. However, Chicago’s only managed to beat the Pirates in two of Zambrano’s L/8 starts against them. Chicago’s dominated at home this year, but their fortune on the road has been a different story. The return on Pittsburgh at home is worthy of a $$$-Line wager in this spot when taking Chicago’s road woes into consideration.

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