Chicago @ Pittsburgh Picks & Props

When estimating his overall offensive skill, Ian Happ ranks in the 92nd percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Ian Happ is projected to hit 1st on the lineup card in this game. Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). As a switch-hitter who is stronger from the 0 side of the plate, Ian Happ will get to bat from his good side against Mitch Keller in today's matchup.

As it relates to his overall offensive talent, Michael Busch ranks in the 76th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Michael Busch is projected to hit 2nd in the batting order in today's game. Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). Hitting from the opposite that Mitch Keller throws from, Michael Busch will have an advantage in today's game.

Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). Hitting from the opposite that Jameson Taillon throws from, Billy McKinney will have an advantage today. The Chicago Cubs have just 1 same-handed RP in their bullpen, so Billy McKinney stands a good chance of never facing a bullpen mismatch all game. Billy McKinney will hold the home field advantage in today's game, which ought to improve all of his stats.

When it comes to his overall offensive ability, Dansby Swanson ranks in the 85th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). Dansby Swanson's average launch angle on his highest exit velocity balls of late (23.9° in the past 14 days) is considerably better than his 14.3° seasonal mark. Dansby Swanson has been unlucky this year, putting up a .286 wOBA despite the leading projection system (THE BAT X) estimating his true talent level to be .326 — a .040 disparity.

Oneil Cruz's BABIP skill is projected in the 97th percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Oneil Cruz is projected to bat 3rd on the lineup card in today's game. Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). Batting from the opposite that Jameson Taillon throws from, Oneil Cruz will have an edge in today's game.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Cody Bellinger in the 82nd percentile when it comes to his batting average skill. Cody Bellinger is penciled in 4th in the lineup in today's game. Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). Batting from the opposite that Mitch Keller throws from, Cody Bellinger will have an edge in today's matchup.

PNC Park has the 8th-deepest fences in the league — generally bad for dingers. Hitting from the same side that Jameson Taillon throws from, Isiah Kiner-Falefa encounters a tough challenge in today's game. Among all the teams today, the 4th-best infield defense is that of the Chicago Cubs. There has been a decrease in Isiah Kiner-Falefa's average exit velocity this season, from 88.8 mph last year to 85.4 mph now Based on Statcast data, the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected wOBA (.283) may lead us to conclude that Isiah Kiner-Falefa has had some very good luck this year with his .319 actual wOBA.

When it comes to his overall offensive talent, Seiya Suzuki ranks in the 96th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Seiya Suzuki is penciled in 3rd in the batting order today. Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). Seiya Suzuki has negatively regressed with his Barrel% recently; his 11.4% seasonal rate has fallen off to 0% in the last week.

Isaac Paredes is penciled in 5th on the lineup card in today's game. Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). Last year, Isaac Paredes had an average launch angle of 18° on his highest exit velocity balls, while this season it has significantly increased to 21.6°. By putting up a 1.41 K/BB rate this year, Isaac Paredes has demonstrated good plate discipline, grading out in the 94th percentile.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Ji Hwan Bae in the 97th percentile when it comes to his BABIP skill. Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). Hitting from the opposite that Jameson Taillon throws from, Ji Hwan Bae will have an edge in today's matchup. Ji Hwan Bae may have an advantage against every reliever for the game's entirety, since the bullpen of the Chicago Cubs only has 1 same-handed RP.

Bryan De La Cruz's BABIP ability is projected in the 90th percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). Home field advantage typically improves batter stats in all categories, and Bryan De La Cruz will hold that advantage today. Bryan De La Cruz has been hot lately, raising his seasonal exit velocity of 89.4-mph to 94-mph in the past 7 days.

Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). Miguel Amaya has made substantial strides with his Barrel% lately, bettering his 5% seasonal rate to 14.8% in the last two weeks. Miguel Amaya has seen a significant increase in his exit velocity lately; just compare his 92.7-mph average in the last week to his seasonal 88.1-mph EV. In the last 14 days, Miguel Amaya's 55.6% rate of hitting balls at a base hit-optimizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) shows big improvement over his seasonal rate of 44.3%.

Jared Triolo's BABIP skill is projected in the 87th percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). Home field advantage typically improves hitter stats across the board, and Jared Triolo will hold that advantage in today's game. Jared Triolo has made significant strides with his Barrel% of late, upping his 4.7% seasonal rate to 14.3% in the last two weeks.

Nico Hoerner's batting average talent is projected to be in the 95th percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). Based on Statcast data, the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected Batting Average (.279) suggests that Nico Hoerner has had some very poor luck this year with his .253 actual batting average. Sporting a 1.57 K/BB rate this year, Nico Hoerner has demonstrated favorable plate discipline, ranking in the 91st percentile.

Pete Crow-Armstrong's BABIP skill is projected in the 81st percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). Batting from the opposite that Mitch Keller throws from, Pete Crow-Armstrong will have the upper hand in today's game. Pete Crow-Armstrong has made sizeable gains with his Barrel% recently, bettering his 6.9% seasonal rate to 15.4% over the last two weeks.

Bryan Reynolds's BABIP ability is projected in the 95th percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Bryan Reynolds is penciled in 2nd on the lineup card in this matchup. Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). As a switch-hitter who performs better from the 0 side of the dish, Bryan Reynolds will get to bat from his strong side against Jameson Taillon today.

Joey Bart has primarily hit in the back-half of the batting order this season (60% of the time), but he is projected to bat 4th in the batting order in this game. Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. Home field advantage generally boosts hitter stats across the board, and Joey Bart will hold that advantage in today's game. Joey Bart's launch angle of late (25.3° in the past 7 days) is quite a bit higher than his 8.8° seasonal angle. With a .369 wOBA (a leading indicator of offensive ability) this year, Joey Bart finds himself in the 93rd percentile.

Rowdy Tellez is projected to bat 5th on the lineup card today. Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). Rowdy Tellez will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Jameson Taillon in today's matchup. Rowdy Tellez will probably have an advantage against every reliever for the whole game, since the bullpen of the Chicago Cubs only has 1 same-handed RP.

Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest altitude among all parks, which often leads to more offense. The weather report expects temperatures in this matchup to drop to the 8th-lowest level of all games on the slate at 82°, which is highly linked to an decrease in offense (and an increase in strikeouts). Yasmani Grandal will possess the home field advantage today, which ought to improve all of his stats. Yasmani Grandal has seen a notable improvement in his exit velocity this season; just compare his 91.2-mph average to last year's 87.9-mph mark. Yasmani Grandal has seen a big gain in his exit velocity on flyballs lately; just compare his 99.7-mph average in the past two weeks' worth of games to his seasonal mark of 92.7-mph.