Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs – Prediction, 09/04/2024, MLB Tips, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs

Date: Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Location: Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois

TV: Marquee

Wrigley Field is the venue where the Chicago Cubs (71-67) will face the Pittsburgh Pirates (64-73) on Wednesday. Domingo German and Shota Imanaga will serve as starting pitchers.

As a team, the Pittsburgh Pirates score 4.2 runs per game, ranking 20th in the league. They have scored 577 total runs and have a team OBP of .302. As a team, the Pirates have hit 200 two-baggers and hit 136 balls out of the park. They have 556 runs batted in and 1,100 base hits on the season, and their team batting average is .236. Pittsburgh has a slugging rate of .373 and has 1,275 strikeouts while allowing 407 walks.

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The Pirates have a team earned run average of 4.13 this season (17th in the league) and 1,141 batters strikeouts. The Pirates’ pitchers have allowed 145 long balls and 625 runs (20th in baseball). They have allowed 424 batters to walk and their FIP as a team so far this season is 4.07. Pittsburgh has allowed 1,171 base hits (8.6 per 9 innings) and 560 earned runs. Their K/BB ratio is 2.69 and the pitchers have a WHIP of 1.31.

The Pirates have sent 421 relief pitchers to the mound this year. Relief pitchers have taken on 167 runners this year, with 34.1% of them scoring. They have earned 33 saves so far this year and missed 26 of their 59 save opportunities. Pirates relief pitchers have accumulated a save percentage of 55.9% and have entered the game in 126 save situations. Relief pitchers have 66 holds so far this season (22nd in the league). Pirates pitchers have entered the game with opponents on base 112 times and have also had 150 appearances in high-pressure situations.

The Pirates have turned 68.7% of their balls into outs in 10,986 innings, ranking 23rd in professional baseball. The Pittsburgh Pirates have 3,662 putouts this season, along with 1,175 assists and 73 errors. Their fielding percentage is .985, ranking 17th in the major leagues, and they have forced 119 double plays.

German (career record 31-28) has a FIP of 4.41 while facing 2,265 batters during his time in the Major Leagues. He has allowed 470 base hits (7.9 hits per 9 innings) and 173 walks. His earned run average is 4.48 (268 ERs allowed) and he has a career WHIP of 1.194. German has spent 539 innings on the mound in his professional baseball career and has recorded 558 punch outs.

The Cubs have a team slugging percentage of .394 and are averaging 4.56 runs per game (13th in baseball). They have hit 227 doubles, issued 463 walks and scored 629 runs. Chicago has 146 home runs and 594 RBIs this season. They have hit 1,177 home runs (14th in the league) and have 1,113 base hits. The Chicago Cubs have a .316 on-base percentage and a team batting average of .240 on the season.

The Cubs have a team WHIP of 1.245 and a FIP of 3.96 as a team this year. Their K/BB ratio is 8.70 (1,175 strikeouts vs. 407 bases on balls). They currently rank 13th in baseball with 1,111 hits allowed. They have allowed 150 home runs and 4.27 runs per 9 innings (11th in the league). Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 579 runs and a 3.80 ERA (515 earned runs allowed) this season.

Chicago has called relief pitchers into the contest on 54 save opportunities and has converted 31 saves. They rank 25th in baseball with a save percentage of 57.4% and have sent 419 bullpen pitchers to the mound this season. Their relief pitchers have stepped to the mound 142 times in high-pressure situations, in addition to 122 opportunities with runners on the field. Chicago’s bullpen pitchers have a 30.1% takeover rate of 183 base runners taken over. With 121 save situations, the Cubs have made 66 holds and blown 23 saves.

The Chicago Cubs have 72 double plays and a fielding percentage of .986 (8th in baseball). The Cubs have 1,121 assists, 67 errors and 3,657 putouts on the season. In their 10,971 innings on the field, the Cubs have a defensive efficiency of 70.2% (14th in professional baseball).

In his professional baseball career, Imanaga has allowed 131 hits and struck out 148 in 146 innings. Imanaga (career record 11-3) has a 3.14 ERA and is giving up 8.1 hits per 9 innings. He has allowed 51 ERs, posted a 1.054 WHIP and has a 3.1 FIP. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is 6.43 and he has faced 591 hitters in his career.

Who will win today’s MLB game against the spread or the moneyline?

Josh Schonwald’s tip: Take Pittsburgh

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