Free Pick | MLB | Thursday | Aug. 24

Nelly’s is 4-1 in our last five MLB 7* Top Plays – don’t miss our next big play tonight!

Bobby Dalton is 7-2 the past seven days in MLB action – get tonight’s 5star from the Big Dog to add to a 64-40 run!

#902 Pittsburgh Pirates (Undecided) +140 over Chicago Cubs (Steele) 6:05 PM CT

The Cubs managed to take two of three in Detroit to start the week, but the pitching staff allowed 18 runs in those three games including significant outings from three relievers yesterday. Chicago is 5-2 in the past seven games to climb to 66-60 in the middle of the NL Central and wild card races, but they have faced three lousy AL Central teams in the past three series. Pittsburgh is 57-70 on the season with another losing season underway but the Pirates are 12-12 in the past 24 games and the offense has dialed it up this week with 21 runs in the three games with St. Louis to start this home stand. The Cubs are 16-7 behind Justin Steele and the inflated price Thursday shows such even though Steele has a 4.43 ERA in August. Pittsburgh has 18 wins this season vs. left-handed starters while averaging 5.0 runs per nine vs. lefties in the past five games. Steele allowed nine runs in fewer than nine innings vs. the Pirates last season and an unannounced pitching plan can be an advantage at times with Pittsburgh looking at a bullpen game or giving Andre Jackson a look with Jackson striking out 11 in eight innings in his two starts this season.