Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs 4/23/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

NL Central Division rivals will square off on Saturday afternoon, when the Pittsburgh Pirates take on the Chicago Cubs from historic Wrigley Field. The Pirates (7-7) are off to a better than expected start and trail first place St. Louis by two full games. Last night, C Roberto Perez homered and delivered a two-run single to lead Pittsburgh to a 4-2 road victory against Chicago.

Twenty-eight year old righty Zach Thompson (0-1 9.00 ERA) will make his 17th career major league start. Control has been an issue for Thompson, who has walked five batters and allowed 11 hits through eight innings this season.

The Chicago Cubs are looking to snap a four-game losing streak and have fallen three games off the pace in the division race. During Friday's home loss, Chicago left eight men on base and struck out ten times. SP Drew Smyly (1-1) gave up four runs in five innings and took the loss for the Cubs, who fell to 6-8 overall.

Chicago manager David Ross will give the nod to thirty-two year old righty Kyle Hendricks (0-1 6.08 ERA) on Saturday. Last time out, Hendricks gave up two runs in four plus innings during a 4-2 home victory versus Tampa Bay.