Sports Betting - Saturday 9 July 2011 by

MLB Game Day Prediction: Cubs vs Pirates Baseball Betting Odds

Today we present a game day prediction for the Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates with baseball betting odds from the sportsbook at the JustBet online sports wagering website. It has already been a historic day in MLB as New York Captain Derek Jeter joined the 3,000 Hit Club. Jeter did it in style as his 3,000 hit was a home run, with a perfect 5-5 day at the plate, in the 5-4 Yankees win over the Tampa Bay Rays. We Like the Pirates at home tonight!

MLB Game Day Prediction: Cubs vs Pirates Baseball Betting Odds

Game Day Prediction Cubs vs Pirates Baseball Betting Odds: We are starting to believe in the Pirates and maybe you should as well. Pittsburgh (46-42) is in the thick of the playoff race as they sit just a game back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. For Chicago (36-54) it’s been another year to forget as they are mired in fifth place and sit 12 games behind the Brewers.

PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will be rocking tonight as the first pitch for this National League Central baseball betting action is scheduled for 7:05 PM ET on Saturday, July 9, 2011.

MLB Game Day Preview: Cubs @ Pirates

Break up the Buccos! The Pirates have not had a winning season in almost two decades as they have a 1267-1665 record since the 1993 MLB campaign. That being said, this National League Central match-up has a buzz about it in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are contending for the playoffs for the first time since 1992 when they finished first in NL East.

Pittsburgh is 11-5 over their last 16 games and they have scored at least five runs in ten of the eleven wins. RHP Kevin Correia (11-6 3.74 ERA) gets the call for the Pirates as he attempts to join Jair Jurrjens (ATL) and C.C. Sabastia (NYY) as the only 12-game winners in the majors so far this season.

Chicago continues their slide in the NL Central standings as they have gone 7-14 since May 18, 2011. The Cubs are 2-6 in their last eight games – including a 7-4 loss to the Pirates last night.  RHP Ryan Dempster (5-6 4.99 ERA) will start for Chicago as he tries to head into the All-Star break on a high note with a win.

Like the rest of the hapless Cubbies, it has been a tough season for Dempster as he went 1-3 in April, 3-1 in May, and 1-2 in June. Dempster missed his last scheduled start (stomach) and hasn’t recorded a victory since he won 4-1 against the Cincinnati Reds back on June 8, 2011.

MLB Betting Odds: Chicago vs. Pittsburgh Free Prediction

We head to the online sportsbook at JustBet.com for tonight’s MLB betting odds and our Chicago vs. Pittsburgh free prediction. The Pirates are 4-1 straight up, in their last five games, against the Cubs.

MLB Betting Odds MLB Cubs vs Pirates

While we are somewhat concerned about the 2-4 (5.40 ERA) record Correia has posted at PNC Park this season, it’s not enough for us to move off the Pirates. Take out their games against the Brewers (0-5) and the Pirates are 19-6 against NL Central teams.

Prior to a scheduled post-game concert and fireworks extravaganza at PNC Park, we see the Pirates bats lighting up the night and Correia turning out the lights on the Cubs.

Pillage with the Pirates over the Cubs at -1.5 (+177) with the JustBet Point Spread!

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