Pirates-Cubs Lines Preview

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Monday when the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs meet at Wrigley Field. Ace Paul Maholm will be the starting pitcher for the Pirates on this day. Lefthander Maholm is 3-1 this season with a 3.30 ERA. It'll be Ryan Dempster toeing the rubber for the Cubs in this contest. Righthander Dempster is 3-3 with a 4.40 ERA so far this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 170-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Pirates defeated the White Sox 4-3 as a +185 underdog on Sunday. The seven runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9). Eric Hinske was 2-4 with a home run and two RBI for Pittsburgh and Jack Wilson hit a solo home run in the win. The Cubs lost to San Diego 7-2 as a -110 favorite on Sunday. The nine runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (7). Reed Johnson hit a two-run home run for Chicago and Ted Lilly gave up five runs on eight hits in 6 1-3 innings. Current streak: Chicago has lost 7 straight games. Team records: Pittsburgh: 20-24 SU Chicago: 21-21 SU Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Monday are 4-6 Before playing Chi Cubs are 4-6 After playing Chi White Sox are 5-5 After a win are 6-4 Chicago most recently: When playing on Monday are 3-7 Before playing Pittsburgh are 6-4 After playing San Diego are 7-3 After a loss are 3-7 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 15 of Pittsburgh's last 22 games when playing Chi Cubs Pittsburgh is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games Chi Cubs are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games Chi Cubs are 10-2 SU in their last 12 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh Chi Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games at home Next up: Chi Cubs home to Pittsburgh, Tuesday, May 26