Pirates-Cubs Pointspread Pointers

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Sunday when the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs meet at Wrigley Field.

Lefthander Zach Duke will take the mound for the Pirates to start this game. Duke is 0-0 this season with a 2.89 ERA.

Duke's opponent in this one will be Ryan Dempster. The Cubs righthander has a 2.37 ERA to go along with a 2-0 record this season.

NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 175-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game's total has not yet been posted.

The Cubs scored multiple runs in several innings on Saturday, as they cruised past the Pirates 13-1. The Cubs won the game as -125 favorites, and the 14 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).

Derrek Lee went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer for the Cubs. Jason Marquis tossed six innings for the win, allowing one run off six hits.

Freddy Sanchez drove in the lone Pirates run, while Tom Gorzelanny gave up seven runs in 2 2-3 innings in the loss.

The Pirates were +110 underdogs in the contest.

Current streak:
Pittsburgh has lost 4 straight games.
Chicago has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Pittsburgh: 7-10 SU
Chicago: 11-6 SU

Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Florida are 5-5
After playing Chi Cubs are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 2-8
Before playing NY Mets are 5-5
After playing Pittsburgh are 7-3
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Pittsburgh is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Chi Cubs are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Chi Cubs are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games at home
Chi Cubs are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games

Next up:
Pittsburgh home to Florida, Monday, April 21
Chi Cubs home to NY Mets, Monday, April 21

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