The Chicago Cubs look to end their four-game losing streak as the Baltimore Orioles come to town winners of their last eight contests.
Baltimore finds themselves just two games out of a wild card playoff spot while the Cubs are 13.5 games behind in the division.
Short Two-Game Series
This is the first game of a short two-game series between these two franchises, as both MLB teams are sending out their own respective right-handed pitchers to start Tuesday’s matchup. The first pitch is expected to be around 8:05 PM EDT at Wrigley Field.
Orioles vs. Cubs Odds
The MLB odds for this game can be described as interesting. The run line has the Orioles at +1.5 with -195 odds while the Cubs are -1.5 with +170.
On the money line, the Chicago Cubs are the favorite with -116 odds, while the Baltimore Orioles are the slight underdog at +106.
The over/under for Tuesday’s matchup is currently at nine total runs. The over odds are +105, while the under odds are -125.
Jordan Lyles Analysis
The Baltimore Orioles are sending out the veteran righty Jordan Lyles to the hill for the series opener in Chicago. Lyles has a 5-7 record with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP.
In Lyles’ last start, he pitched six innings while giving up one earned run, registering four strikeouts against the Angels’ potent lineup. He is one of the oldest pitchers on the Orioles pitching staff.
He has pitched at least six innings in four of his last five starts for the Baltimore Orioles. If he can repeat his recent performances, that will go a long way in helping out the taxed Orioles’ bullpen.
Adrian Sampson Analysis
Adrian Sampson is bringing his limited sample size of work against a dangerous Baltimore lineup. An arm that is transitioning from the bullpen, Sampson has only started three games this season.
He has a 0-0 record with a 2.91 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP so far this season. In his last outing against the Milwaukee Brewers, he pitched 5.2 innings, registering five strikeouts while giving up only one earned run.
His last start at 5.2 innings was the farthest he has pitched into a game all season long. If Sampson can be efficient and make it at least another five innings, this will be a low-scoring affair on Tuesday evening.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Chicago Cubs Picks and Predictions
Total Lines for Today’s Matchup
Currently, the over/under for Tuesday’s contest is set at nine total runs. In their past five games, the Baltimore Orioles averaged 4.2 runs per game while the Chicago Cubs averaged 3.8 runs during the same span.
Both pitchers in their last starts were efficient and did their job above expectations. Both Lyles and Sampson left their last starts, only giving up one earned run, respectively.
Two-game Series Pitchers Expectations
With these two pitchers feeling good, these lineups may be in for some trouble in Chicago. Looking at the recent performances from these two lineups and the starting pitchers, it is hard not to look at the under and go with that.
Pick the under nine total runs with the -125 odds as one of your free MLB picks for game one of this short two-game series.
MLB Pick: Under 9 (-125)
Moneyline for Today’s Matchup
The moneyline has the home team as the favorite in this contest. The Cubs are the favorite with -116 odds at home, where they have a 17-27 record overall and a 7-15 record as the favorite.
Baltimore is no stranger to being the underdog. At +106 odds MLB, the Orioles find themselves in familiar territory.
Fortunately for them, they have compiled an 18-27 record on the road and a 50-27 record as the underdog this season.
MLB Pick: Cubs (-116)
Home Run Record
Both of these teams have the ability to score runs, as the Orioles have totaled 360 runs so far this season while the Cubs have 376 total runs.
Tuesday’s game one will be a tight contest. Looking at these two teams when making the pick, one must look at the team that is red hot coming into this series.
When making your Orioles vs Cubs picks for this game, pick the Baltimore Orioles, who come into Wrigley Field on an eight-game winning streak and have outscored their opponents by 12 runs in their past ten games.
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