Cubs-Pirates Betting Preview - August 16

You can bet Thursday's Cubs-Pirates game online with Pirates +105 and Chicago -115.   The total was 8.5.

Pitching Matchup

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (12-5, 3.89 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Ivan Nova (7-6, 4.42) 

Lester is winless in five starts since the All-Star break and has pitched to a bloated 10.32 ERA over that span.  He is 7-6 with a 3.59 ERA in 16 career starts against the Pirates, including 2-1 with a 4.70 ERA in four meetings this season.

The Pirates have won five of Nova’s last six starts, and the 31-year-old is 3-0 with a 4.22 ERA over that stretch.  He is 4-1 with a 3.63 ERA in six starts against the Cubs

Hot Trends

Cubs are 6-0 in Lester's last 6 starts following an outing of less than 4 innings in his last appearance.

Cubs are 6-1 in Lester’s last 7 road starts.

Pirates are 1-10 in Nova's last 11 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.

Free Pick

Go with the Cubs here +105 as Lester's back is against the wall

Our Record So Far

Current 2018 MLB Record: 36-31 (53.7%)

2018 NBA Record: 12-4-1 (75%)

- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com