Chicago at Pittsburgh

This is the second straight road game for the Cubs. They have ace Jake Arrieta (1.00 ERA) on the mound, but he faces a Pittsburgh offense that is real good, fourth in baseball in runs scored and tops in on base percentage. Chicago is 13-6-4 UNDER the total when Arrieta starts with four days of rest, plus 12-4-4 UNDER when he faces the NL Central. Chicago OF Matt Szczur left Monday’s game with tightness in his right hamstring and is considered day-to-day. Chicago won the opener, 7-2, but the Pirates are 21-8 after scoring two or fewer runs in their previous game. Chicago is 7-3 UNDER the total on the road against a left-handed starter and faces lefty Jonathon Niese (3-0), with the Pirates winning each of his five starts. Batters are hitting .186 off him at home, and last season Chicago hit .196 off him in 13+ innings. The Pirates are a home dog, but on a 51-25 run at home, plus 37-16 at home against a right-handed starter. Take Pittsburgh and UNDER the total.