Pirates-Cubs Pointers

The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs will meet on the field at Wrigley Field on Friday in a battle of division rivals.

The Pirates will trot Tom Gorzelanny out to the mound in this one. Lefthander Gorzelanny has a 3-3 record and a 5.97 ERA this season.

Gorzelanny's opponent in this one will be Sean Gallagher. The Cubs righthander has a 8.31 ERA to go along with a 0-0 record this season.

NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game's total has not yet been posted.

The Pirates scored seven runs in the final two innings and defeated the Cardinals 11-5 last time out, as +125 underdogs. The 16 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (8.5).

Jason Bay cracked a three-run homer, while Freddy Sanchez and Jason Michaels each drove in two runs for the Pirates. John Grabow tossed less than an inning of relief to pick up the win.

Ryan Dempster tossed 8 1-3 scoreless innings on Thursday as the Cubs shut out the Padres 4-0 in the finale of a four-game series. The Cubs won that game as -152 favorites, while the four runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).

Derrek Lee led the way with two hits and two RBIs for the Cubs. Dempster fanned 12 batters in earning his fifth win of the season.

Current streak:
Chicago has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Pittsburgh: 20-21 SU
Chicago: 25-16 SU

Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Chi Cubs are 1-9
After playing St. Louis are 3-7
After a win are 5-5

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Pittsburgh are 9-1
After playing San Diego are 4-6
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
Pittsburgh is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games on the road
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 6-1 SU in their last 7 games

Next up:
Chi Cubs home to Pittsburgh, Saturday, May 17

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