Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates: the Hosts to Level the Series Score with the Visitors

Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates are in their second series of the new season. The first in Pittsburgh ended up with 1-1. In the second, the score is 1-0 in favor of the Pirates. How will the next meeting between the rivals close in Chicago? Let's choose several options for betting.

After taking their first contest of the season over Milwaukee (5-4, 9-0, 4-5), the Cubs have not won another series. First, Chicago exchanged victories with Pittsburgh - 2-1, 2-6. Then they drew with Colorado - 5-2, 5-6, 6-9, 6-4. Finally, they lost to Tampa Bay: 4-2, 5-6, 2-8. The Cubs' first home game against Pittsburgh also ended in a 3-4 loss.

Drew Smyly, 32, will pitch for Chicago in the upcoming game. In two starts in the new season, the experienced pitcher has not conceded a run in 9.2 innings against Pittsburgh (2-1) and Colorado (6-4).

In the new season the Pirates fell to St. Louis (0-9, 2-6, 9-4) and Milwaukee (1-6, 2-5, 2-4), but they beat Washington (9-4, 2-7, 6-4, 5-3). For the time being, the team from Pennsylvania leads in the second confrontation with Chicago Cubs.

The Pirates' starting pitcher for the second game in Chicago is 33-year-old Colombian Jose Quintana. In two starts on the new season, the pitcher has conceded four runs and 10 hits in 9.1 innings against the Chicago Cubs (1-2) and Washington (5-3).

The Cubs failed their first home game to Pittsburgh and are unlikely to lose the second game. The team performed well two weeks earlier against a very strong Milwaukee squad, which means they have a margin of safety that should show up in the upcoming game. The match-up of starting pitchers, Smyly vs Quintana, also tends to bet on a win for the home team.

Prediction - Chicago Cubs wiil win.