On the 12th of May, 2024, the Chicago Cubs are scheduled to battle the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The first pitch is set for 01:35 pm under partly cloudy skies.

Leading the Cubs’ pitching staff, Kyle Hendricks will take the mound with a challenging ERA of 12.000 this season. On the Pirates’ side, Bailey Falter, who holds a more modest ERA of 4.339, will be pitching. As the 2024 season progresses, the Cubs currently rank fifth in the NL Central Division with a record of 23-17, showing a winning percentage of .580. They have won 5 out of their last 10 games but are coming off a loss. Overall, they have been stronger at home with a 13-6 record than on the road where they are 10-11. Conversely, the Pirates are positioned tenth in the same division with an 18-22 record and a .450 winning percentage. They have secured a win recently but overall have a balanced 9-11 home and away record.

From a betting perspective, the odds highlight a tight contest between the teams. The point spread is set at 1.5 in favor of the Cubs, which suggests that they are slightly expected to outperform the Pirates. The game’s over/under is listed at 8.5, indicating anticipation of a moderately high-scoring game. For those betting on the money lines, the Cubs come in at -120, making them the favorites, while the Pirates are at +100, presenting a potentially profitable opportunity for those betting on an upset. This matchup offers intriguing possibilities for different betting strategies, reflecting closely matched division rivals.