Chicago @ Pittsburgh picks

Paul Skenes' arsenal has served him well since his call-up in 2024. He’s rung up 209 batters and enjoyed some success against the Cubs. Chicago doesn’t strike out much against righties, but they have four sticks in the lineup with whiff rates north of 25%, and that’s no bueno against Skenes and his numerous off-speed offerings. Skenes has enjoyed great success against these Cubs and strikes out nearly 10 per nine at PNC Park. The Pirates’ righty pitches deep enough to expect 7+ strikeouts today.  

The leading projection system (THE BAT) ranks PNC Park as the 6th-worst ballpark in MLB for strikeouts.. Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest elevation in the league, which tends to lead to higher offensive output.. In terms of temperature and humidity, the weather report expects for the most suitable hitting conditions of all games on the slate.. Paul Skenes's 97.4-mph velocity on his fastball this year is a notable 1.5-mph fall off from last season's 98.9-mph mark.

According to the leading projection system (THE BAT X), Kyle Tucker ranks as the 10th-best batter in MLB.. Kyle Tucker is penciled in 2nd in the batting order in today's game.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) profiles PNC Park as the 9th-best field in baseball for left-handed batting average.. In terms of temperature and humidity, the weather report expects for the most suitable hitting conditions of all games on the slate.. Batting from the opposite that Paul Skenes throws from, Kyle Tucker will have an edge in today's game.

Bryan Reynolds's BABIP skill 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.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) profiles PNC Park as the 9th-best field in baseball for left-handed batting average.. Built 724 feet above sea level, PNC Park has the 6th-highest elevation in the league, which tends to lead to higher offensive output.. In terms of temperature and humidity, the weather report expects for the most suitable hitting conditions of all games on the slate.

Oneil Cruz projects as the 7th-best home run batter in the league, via the leading projection system (THE BAT X).. Oneil Cruz is projected to bat 1st in the lineup in today's game.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) profiles PNC Park as the 9th-best field in baseball for left-handed batting average.. In terms of temperature and humidity, the weather report expects for the most suitable hitting conditions of all games on the slate.. Oneil Cruz will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Colin Rea in today's game.

Enmanuel Valdez is projected to bat 4th in the batting order in today's game.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) profiles PNC Park as the 9th-best field in baseball for left-handed batting average.. In terms of temperature and humidity, the weather report expects for the most suitable hitting conditions of all games on the slate.. Enmanuel Valdez will have the handedness advantage against Colin Rea in today's matchup.. Enmanuel Valdez will have the benefit of the home field advantage today, which figures to bolster all of his stats.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Michael Busch in the 84th percentile when assessing his overall offensive skill.. Michael Busch is penciled in 4th in the batting order in this game.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) profiles PNC Park as the 9th-best field in baseball for left-handed batting average.. In terms of temperature and humidity, the weather report expects for the most suitable hitting conditions of all games on the slate.. Michael Busch will have the handedness advantage against Paul Skenes today.

PNC Park projects as the #9 park in Major League Baseball for right-handed batting average, via the leading projection system (THE BAT).. In terms of temperature and humidity, the weather report expects for the most suitable hitting conditions of all games on the slate.. Home field advantage typically improves hitter metrics in all categories, and Alexander Canario will hold that advantage in today's game.. Alexander Canario's speed has improved this year. His 27.18 ft/sec Statcast Sprint Speed last season sits at 27.69 ft/sec now.

Seiya Suzuki's BABIP skill is projected in the 97th percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X).. Seiya Suzuki is projected to hit 3rd in the lineup in today's game.. PNC Park projects as the #9 park in Major League Baseball for right-handed batting average, via the leading projection system (THE BAT).. In terms of temperature and humidity, the weather report expects for the most suitable hitting conditions of all games on the slate.. The Barrel% of Seiya Suzuki has significantly improved, with an increase from 11.5% last year to 18.1% this year.

According to the leading projection system (THE BAT X), Kyle Tucker ranks as the 10th-best batter in MLB.. Kyle Tucker is penciled in 2nd in the batting order in today's game.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) profiles PNC Park as the 9th-best field in baseball for left-handed batting average.. In terms of temperature and humidity, the weather report expects for the most suitable hitting conditions of all games on the slate.. Batting from the opposite that Paul Skenes throws from, Kyle Tucker will have an edge in today's game.

According to the leading projection system (THE BAT X), Kyle Tucker ranks as the 10th-best batter in MLB.. Kyle Tucker is penciled in 2nd in the batting order in today's game.. The leading projection system (THE BAT) profiles PNC Park as the 9th-best field in baseball for left-handed batting average.. In terms of temperature and humidity, the weather report expects for the most suitable hitting conditions of all games on the slate.. Batting from the opposite that Paul Skenes throws from, Kyle Tucker will have an edge in today's game.