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The Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates will conclude their three game series at Wrigley Field this afternoon. The Cubs evened the series last night with a 6-1 victory. Today's game is scheduled to get underway at 2:20pm ET. Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs MLB Predictions at Sportsbook.com have the Cubs listed as a -149 money line favorite in this afternoon's rubber match contest.

The Cubs drew to an even .500 last night and snapped an eight game losing streak by scoring a 6-1 win at Wrigley Field. The victory was Chicago's second in their last 10 games and it left them four games behind the first place Brewers. The Cubs are now 13-8 in home games this season.

Starting for Chicago this afternoon is Venezuelan Carlos Zambrano. Zambrano will be making his second start since a brief stint on the DL. His last outing, an 0-4 loss at San Diego, did not go according to plan as the 27 year old allowed three hits and three earned runs in 4.2 innings pitched.

Zambrano is 3-2 this year in seven starts with a 4.64 ERA.

The Pirates fell to 21-25 with last night's loss, a tally good enough for fifth place in the National League Central. Pittsburgh is six games back of Milwaukee and two games ahead of the last place Astros. The Bucs road record dropped to 10-16 with yesterday's defeat.

Pittsburgh will send southpaw Zach Duke to the mound this afternoon. Duke has been outstanding this year, garnering a 5-4 record in nine starts with a 2.77 ERA.  In 65 innings the Texas native has given up 55 hits and 20 earned runs. Opposing squads are hitting .240 against the 26 year old this season. 

The Pirates are 3-8 in their last 11 games at Wrigley Field and 5-15 in their last 20 versus the Cubs.

Sportsbook.com Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago Cubs MLB Predictions:

Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5 (-155), Over 8.5 (-125), +149 (Moneyline)

Chicago Cubs -1.5 (+135), Under 8.5 (+105), -159 (Moneyline)

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