The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates will face off in MLB action today in Game 1 of the series. What is a reasonable final score prediction for today?
Jon Lester will be taking the mound for the Cubs, who are one game away from clinching a place in the 2015 MLB postseason. They are also just 3.5 games back of the Pirates for the top Wild Card spot in the National League, which would bring the one-game playoff to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. That would be an electric atmosphere to say the very least for the talented young Cubs.
Pittsburgh is sending their best pitcher to the mound in Gerrit Cole. They feel very comfortable about their chances to take this afternoon's game, but they have to have a big game from their offense.
Needless to say, this game means much more to both teams than a normal regular season game. Having the one-game playoff at their home stadium would be an advantage for whoever ends up winning the top Wild Card spot. Both teams have key players offensively that will have to step up and it's time to take a look at who those key players are.
Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant are the biggest keys for the Cubs' offense, as they have been for the majority of the season. Bryant has taken the record for having the most rookie home runs in Cubs' history, while Rizzo is one of the front-runners to win the NL MVP award. If both of those players can step up and fuel the offense, the Cubs have a very good chance to come away with a huge Game 1 win.
Andrew McCutchen is the top key for the Pirates, as their offense sputtered against the Cubs last series. He is currently expected to win the NL MVP award and is more than capable of powering the Pirates' offense nearly single-handedly.
Wrigley Field is going to be extremely loud this afternoon and it will make for a very entertaining game.
Expect to see the Cubs come out strong and get the one win that they need to make the postseason. Lester has been improving very quickly for the Cubs as the season has gone along and is due for another big start. He was signed to a huge deal last offseason to be the top of pitcher that can win key games, which is exactly what he is being asked to do today.
If the Cubs play to their full potential and their offense can get off to a quick start against Cole, there isn't much of a chance that the Pirates will be able to outscore them.
Chicago vs. Pittsburgh Final Score Prediction: Cubs 6, Pirates 2
© 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
