Chicago Cubs (82-76) at Pittsburgh (67-91)
When: Thursday, September 26, 2019
Where: PNC Park,
Pittsburgh, PA
Time: 7:05 ET | TV: MLB Network
Opening Odds: OFF
The Chicago Cubs picked the worst time to have their longest losing streak in seven years and have played themselves out of playoff contention with their eighth straight setback on Wednesday. They’ll try and pick themselves up in the finale of a three-game series against the last place Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday behind lefty Jose Quintana. The Cubs will miss the postseason for the first time since 2014 after Wednesday’s 4-2 setback to the Pirates, who came into this series having lost lost nine in a row. Pittsburgh third baseman Erik Gonzalez collected three hits and drove in two runs Wednesday and has hit safely in nine straight contests. The Pirates will finish the season up at home against the Cincinnati Reds this weekend. Kyle Schwarber has been one of the few bright spots offensively for Chicago, going 10-for-21 during a six-game hitting streak, while star third baseman Kris Bryant (ankle) has been shut down for the season. The Cubs can help determine the NL Central champ when they visit the St. Louis Cardinals to finish out a disappointing season.
Pitchers: Cubs – Jose Quintana (13-8, 4.55 ERA) | Pirates – Joe Musgrove (10-12, 4.49)
Quintana has been pitching as badly as the Cubs are playing, compiling an 11.85 ERA for the month of September after allowing five runs in 3.1 inning last week against the Cardinals. He hasn’t completed four innings in any of his last four starts including a 2.1-inning outing against Pittsburgh in which he surrendered five runs and eight hits. The Cubs actually won that game 16-6 and are 6-0 in Quintana’s last six starts against the Pirates.
Musgrove has been a little inconsistent since the beginning of August, logging just three quality starts in eight outings after surrendering four runs – two earned – over five innings against the Seattle Mariners last time out. He recorded his first scoreless outing since July 2nd when he limited the Giants to four hits over five innings on September 12th. Musgrove is 0-1 in three starts against Chicago this season with a 1.08 ERA.
The Cubs have no more motivation left in them and just want this season to end. Quintana has been dreadful and I don’t see that turning around in a meaningless game. I’ll take the Pirates here.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for Thursday. He is 132-94 +2418 units on the season!
Pick: Pirates +116
BETTING TRENDS:
Cubs are 58-24 in their last 83 Thursday games.
Cubs are 5-16 in their last 21 games following a loss.
Cubs are 1-4 in their last 5 road games.
Cubs are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cubs are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing record.
Cubs are 1-4 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Cubs are 1-5 in their last 6 during game 3 of a series.
Cubs are 0-5 in their last 5 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Cubs are 0-8 in their last 8 vs. National League Central.
Cubs are 0-8 in their last 8 overall.
Cubs are 0-8 in their last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cubs are 0-4 in their last 4 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Cubs are 0-8 in their last 8 games on grass.
Cubs are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. a team with a losing record.
Cubs are 9-1 in Quintana’s last 10 starts vs. National League Central.
Cubs are 6-1 in Quintana’s last 7 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Cubs are 5-1 in Quintana’s last 6 starts during game 3 of a series.
Cubs are 5-1 in Quintana’s last 6 starts with 4 days of rest.
Cubs are 4-1 in Quintana’s last 5 starts following an outing of less than 4 innings in his last appearance.
Cubs are 11-4 in Quintana’s last 15 starts.
Cubs are 11-4 in Quintana’s last 15 starts on grass.
Cubs are 5-2 in Quintana’s last 7 road starts.
Cubs are 5-2 in Quintana’s last 7 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Cubs are 5-2 in Quintana’s last 7 Thursday starts.
Pirates are 5-1 in their last 6 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Pirates are 18-37 in their last 55 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Pirates are 15-36 in their last 51 vs. National League Central.
Pirates are 2-5 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Pirates are 2-5 in their last 7 games following a win.
Pirates are 8-20 in their last 28 Thursday games.
Pirates are 2-5 in their last 7 home games.
Pirates are 17-44 in their last 61 vs. a team with a winning record.
Pirates are 7-19 in their last 26 during game 3 of a series.
Pirates are 2-6 in their last 8 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
Pirates are 1-4 in their last 5 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Pirates are 2-9 in their last 11 overall.
Pirates are 2-9 in their last 11 games on grass.
Pirates are 1-5 in their last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Pirates are 6-2 in Musgrove’s last 8 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Pirates are 6-16 in Musgrove’s last 22 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Pirates are 2-7 in Musgrove’s last 9 Thursday starts.
Pirates are 1-4 in Musgrove’s last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Pirates are 1-4 in Musgrove’s last 5 home starts.
Under is 5-2 in Cubs last 7 during game 3 of a series.
Under is 7-3 in Cubs last 10 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Over is 4-0-2 in Quintana’s last 6 starts on grass.
Over is 4-0-2 in Quintana’s last 6 starts overall.
Over is 3-0-1 in Quintana’s last 4 starts vs. National League Central.
Over is 5-1-1 in Quintana’s last 7 starts during game 3 of a series.
Over is 4-1 in Quintana’s last 5 starts following an outing of less than 4 innings in his last appearance.
Over is 6-2-2 in Quintana’s last 10 starts following a team loss in their previous game.
Over is 6-1 in Pirates last 7 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 5-1-1 in Pirates last 7 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 10-3 in Pirates last 13 vs. National League Central.
Over is 6-2-1 in Pirates last 9 Thursday games.
Over is 9-3 in Pirates last 12 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 24-9-1 in Pirates last 34 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Over is 13-5-1 in Pirates last 19 games following a win.
Over is 13-6-2 in Pirates last 21 overall.
Over is 13-6-2 in Pirates last 21 on grass.
Over is 32-15-4 in Pirates last 51 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 34-16-1 in Pirates last 51 during game 3 of a series.
Over is 6-0 in Musgrove’s last 6 starts during game 3 of a series.
Over is 5-0 in Musgrove’s last 5 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 7-0 in Musgrove’s last 7 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 5-1-1 in Musgrove’s last 7 Thursday starts.
Over is 4-1 in Musgrove’s last 5 starts on grass.
Over is 4-1 in Musgrove’s last 5 starts overall.
Over is 3-1-1 in Musgrove’s last 5 home starts.
Under is 3-1-1 in Musgrove’s last 5 starts vs. National League Central.
Pirates are 4-0 in Musgrove’s last 4 home starts vs. Cubs.
Under is 4-0 in Musgrove’s last 4 home starts vs. Cubs.
Under is 5-0 in Musgrove’s last 5 starts vs. Cubs.
Cubs are 6-0 in Quintana’s last 6 starts vs. Pirates.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Pittsburgh.
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Pirates are 4-1 in Musgrove’s last 5 starts vs. Cubs.
Cubs are 9-3 in the last 12 meetings.
Cubs are 3-8 in the last 11 meetings in Pittsburgh.
