The Cubs have a good pitcher on the mound in Assad who is 2-0 against the Pirates and the team has won all three of his starts against the Pirates. Assad is playing well for the Cubs and keeping batters off the bag with an ERA of 1.66 this season. Pittsburgh sends Jones to the mound in this matchup and he has played well for the Pirates. The Cubs have the better bullpen though, and they should get the win over a struggling Pirates team that has cooled right down with their offense.The Pirates are generating less than 2 runs per game at home in their last few weeks. On the flip side, the Cubs have done well against Pittsburgh over the seasons and they are 15-5 straight up in their last 20 games against each other. Pittsburgh has lost two of their last three home games and are 1-7 straight up at home in their last eight games against the Cubs. The Pirates are also 0-4 straight up when playing with a day off this season. The Pirates are 2-8 straight up this season after batting .200 or worse over a 3 game span. The Cubs are 5-2 straight up on the road this season when the total is 7 to 7.5. The Cubs should squeeze out the win today as they have good success against Pittsburgh on the road.

Best bet: take the Cubs on the moneyline (ML).