Pirates-Cubs Preview

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Saturday when the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs meet at Wrigley Field. The Pirates will trot Paul Maholm out to the mound in this one. Lefthander Maholm has a 7-6 record and a 3.79 ERA this season. Maholm's opponent in this one will be Ted Lilly. The Cubs lefthander has a 4.49 ERA to go along with a 10-6 record this season. NewBodo oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 190-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Jeff Karstens combined on a five-hit shutout on Friday, as the Pirates defeated the Cubs 3-0. The Pirates won that game as +210 underdogs, while the team's played UNDER the day's posted over/under (9.5). Jason Michaels homered and drove in two runs to lead the way. Karstens got his first victory in a Pirates uniform. Aramis Ramirez had two hits for the Cubs, who were favored by oddsmakers at -240. Jason Marquis gave up three runs on eight hits over six innings as he dropped to 6-7 overall. Team records: Pittsburgh: 51-58 SU Chicago: 65-45 SU Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Saturday are 6-4 Before playing Chi Cubs are 4-6 After playing Chi Cubs are 4-6 After a win are 5-5 Chicago most recently: When playing on Saturday are 5-5 Before playing Pittsburgh are 6-4 After playing Pittsburgh are 6-4 After a loss are 6-4 A few trends to consider: Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs Pittsburgh is 4-12 SU in their last 16 games when playing Chi Cubs Pittsburgh is 2-8 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs Chi Cubs are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games Chi Cubs are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh Chi Cubs are 12-4 SU in their last 16 games when playing Pittsburgh Chi Cubs are 18-7 SU in their last 25 games at home Next up: Chi Cubs home to Pittsburgh, Sunday, August 3