Baseball fans are in for a treat later today as we’ve lined up a pair of blockbuster games that will no doubt tickle your fancy. Opening things off is the all-important clash between the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs. Then, the Pittsburgh Pirates square off with the Los Angeles Dodgers in a marquee National League showdown.
Read on below for a quick breakdown of these two pivotal games. If you’re looking for other sports action, though, you can check out our 2015 PGA Championship preview.
[sc:MLBArticles ]San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs (2:20 PM ET)
Line: San Francisco Giants (+150) at Chicago Cubs (-170) – view all MLB lines
The Chicago Cubs extended their winning streak to three games with a thrilling 8-6 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. The Cubs will look to complete the series sweep later today when they take on the Giants in the final game of their crucial four-game set.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Starting for the Cubs in the series finale is Jake Arrieta (12-6, 2.50 ERA). He was phenomenal in his last start, throwing seven innings of shutout ball in Chicago’s 5-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 4. The Cubs have won six of their last seven games with Arrieta as their starter.
The Giants, on the other hand, will have Jake Peavy (2-4, 3.77 ERA) as their starting pitcher today. San Francisco is 4-0 in Peavy’s last four starts. Peavy was dominant in his last start Tuesday against the Braves, tossing six innings of one-run ball. San Francisco won that game, 8-3.
The total has gone over in Chicago’s last three home games against San Francisco.
Writer’s Prediction
Chicago wins, 5-2, to complete the four-game sweep.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (8:00 PM ET)
Line: Los Angeles Dodgers (-120) at Pittsburgh Pirates (+110); total: 8.0 – view all MLB lines
The Pittsburgh Pirates stretched their unbeaten to three games with a nerve-wracking 6-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. The Bucs will look to complete the three-game sweep later tonight when they take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in their series finale.
Pitching for the Bucs this evening is Charlie Morton (7-4, 4.19 ERA). He was incredible in his last start, allowing just five hits in seven shutout innings against the Cincinnati Reds. The Pirates are now 6-4 in Morton’s last 10 outings.
The Dodgers, on the other hand, will counter with left-hander Alex Wood (7-7, 3.65 ERA). The Dodgers have lost four of their last five games with Wood as their starting pitcher. He struggled in his last start, allowing four runs on eight hits in 6.1 innings of action in Los Angeles’ 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. He is 1-1 with a 2.19 ERA in two starts against the Bucs this season.
The Bucs are 7-2 in their last nine home games against the Dodgers.
Writer’s Prediction
Pittsburgh wins, 4-3. Create a betting account now and bet on the best games for tonight.
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