Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates 4/8/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

NL Central Division rivals will clash on Thursday afternoon, when the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates battle from PNC Park. The Cubs (3-3) have dropped consecutive games and rank last in the majors in batting average. On Wednesday, Chicago managed just three hits during a 4-2 home loss in ten innings versus Milwaukee.

Thirty-five year old righty Jake Arrieta (1-0 1.50 ERA) will head to the hill for the Cubs in this contest. Last time out, Arrieta allowed six hits and one run across six solid innings to lead Chicago to a 5-1 home victory versus Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated Chicago on Opening Day, but limp into this series on a five-game losing streak. On Wednesday, Pittsburgh SP Chad Kuhl (0-1) allowed five runs during the first inning of an ugly 11-4 road loss against Cincinnati. SS Erik Gonzalez hit a ninth-inning grand slam to provide the only offense for the Pirates.

The Pirates will turn to thirty-one year old southpaw Tyler Anderson (0-1 5.40 ERA) in the series opener. In his first start, Anderson gave up three runs and struck out seven batters in five innings during a 5-1 road loss against Chicago.