Cubs-Pirates Pointspread Pointers

The division rival Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates are set to renew hostilities on Monday when they meet at PNC Park. The Cubs will give the ball to starter Ted Lilly in this one. Lefthander Lilly is 12-7 this season with a 4.25 ERA. It'll be Jeff Karstens toeing the rubber for the Pirates in this contest. Righthander Karstens is 2-2 with a 2.25 ERA so far this season. NewBodog oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 200-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Cubs defeated Washington 6-1 as a -380 favorite on Sunday. The seven runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (7.5). Rich Harden pitched seven strong innings, allowing only one run on two hits with 11 strikeouts for Chicago, while Geovany Soto and Kosuke Fukudome each hit a two-run home run in the win. The Pirates lost to Milwaukee 4-3 as a +255 underdog on Sunday. The seven runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (7.5). Nyjer Morgan was 3-5 with an RBI and a run scored for Pittsburgh, while Paul Maholm picked up a no-decision after allowing two runs in six innings. Current streak: Chicago has won 2 straight games. Pittsburgh has lost 4 straight games. Team records: Chicago: 80-50 SU Pittsburgh: 57-73 SU Chicago most recently: When playing on Monday are 4-6 Before playing Pittsburgh are 6-4 After playing Washington are 5-5 After a win are 6-4 Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Monday are 5-5 Before playing Chi Cubs are 5-5 After playing Milwaukee are 4-6 After a loss are 3-7 A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 11 of Chi Cubs's last 12 games on the road Chi Cubs are 10-1 SU in their last 11 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chi Cubs's last 7 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh Chi Cubs are 14-4 SU in their last 18 games when playing Pittsburgh The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games at home The total has gone OVER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Pittsburgh's last 18 games The total has gone OVER in 13 of Pittsburgh's last 19 games when playing Chi Cubs Next up: Pittsburgh home to Chi Cubs, Tuesday, August 26