Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Free Pick: Chicago Cubs -1.5
Courtesy of Mike Rose (Handicapperspicks.com)
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The Pittsburgh Pirates look to take their first two meetings of the 2010 season from the Chicago Cubs when they battle them at beautiful PNC Park on Wednesday night. The Buccos scored a 3-2 win last night much to the chagrin of Cubs backers who saw their squad leave 18 men on base and squander numerous scoring chances.

This will be Ted Lilly’s 11th career start against the Pirates whom he’s 4-2 against with a 4.02 ERA & 1.39 WHIP. The Cubs went 1-2 in his three outings against them last season. He allowed a total of 15 hits and eight ER’s while K’ing 22 and walking seven in the three starts combined.

Due to Pittsburgh’s lack of starters, Charlie Morton and his 12.57 ERA will get the starting nod for the sixth time this season. The righty has simply been awful to start the year going 0-5 overall allowing 34 hits and 27 ER’s through just 19.1 total innings of work. He’ll truly be tested in this spot against a Cubs squad that’s pounded him in the past. Morton stands 1-2 with a sickening 10.22 ERA & 2.03 WHIP in three career starts vs. Chicago. He did however toss a complete game shutout the last time he faced them in late September of last season.

The Cubs just seem unable to get over that .500 hump! They’ve had the opportunity to do so on three separate occasions this season, and failed miserably each time. However, after giving away last night’s game to a Buccos team making less than half of its team salary, I foresee the Cubs coming out like gangbusters and evening up this series.

Including last night’s loss, the Cubs stand 8-2 their L/10 trips to PNC and they’ve won five of Lilly’s L/7 starts in this venue. The offense is smoking hot against righties right now (.313 BA L/10), and they’ve ripped Morton a new behind in the past. Look for them to take their frustrations out on him after letting last night’s game get away from them.

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