The National League Central-leading Chicago Cubs (69-50) begin a ke

y divisional series against the Pittsburgh Pirates (61-60) on Thursday in what is listed as a pick'em matchup at sportsbooks. The Pirates will be trying to break a three-game losing streak to stay in the playoff race at home Bradley Zimmer Jersey , where they have a 33-29 record this season. MLB betting line: The Cubs opened as -114 favorites (wager $114 to win $100); the total is at 8.5 runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. Line updates and matchup report.MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 6.8-4.0, Pirates.MLB picks on every game.Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news.Why the Cubs Can Pay on the MLB LinesThe Cubs avoided seeing the Milwaukee Brewers pull to within one game of the division lead Wednesday, when they beat them 8-4 at Wrigley Field to earn a split of their two-game set. Now they have to guard against a letdown after facing the Brewers and Washington Nationals in their past five games.This will be a good test for Chicago ace Jon Lester (12-5, 3.89 ERA), who has struggled since the MLB All-Star break. Lester is winless over his previous five starts Brandon Guyer Jersey , with his ERA rising more than a run from 2.58. Fortunately, he is 2-1 versus Pittsburgh in four outings this season and owns a better record on the road at 7-2 with a 3.48 ERA in 11 starts. That bodes well here. Why the Pirates Can pay on the MLB linesThe Pirates have won two of their past three meetings with the Cubs, and they are 5-6 in the season series overall through the first 11, according to the OddsShark MLB Database. These teams still play four more times at Wrigley in late September, but now is the time for Pittsburgh to go on a positive run in an effort to snag one of the two NL wild-card spots.Ivan Nova (7-6, 4.42 ERA) will toe the rubber opposite Lester, and he has gone 3-0 in his past six outings, with the Pirates winning five times during that stretch. Nova is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in two starts against Chicago this year http://www.indiansfanproshop.com/authentic-b.j.-upton-jersey , and he has performed better at home in 2018, with a 2-3 mark and 3.55 ERA in 10 games.Smart Betting PickThis is a huge game for Lester and the Cubs, who are attempting to win the NL Central for the third season in a row. Milwaukee and the St. Louis Cardinals are squaring off in a three-game series, starting Friday, and both teams have a chance to catch Chicago down the stretch. The Cubs cannot afford to lose in this spot, so look for them to win.MLB Betting TrendsChicago is 4-2 in its past six games on the road.The total has gone under in six of Chicago's past eight games.Pittsburgh is 1-4 in its past five games. All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app. The Good Guys try to salvage the series this afternoon."Well, it’s been competitive.The Reds have come up on the wrong side of a couple of one run games in this series against the defending NL Central Brewers and will get one more shot at taking a game this afternoon.Tanner Roark salvaged his Reds debut on Monday after a bad first inning Josh Tomlin Jersey , and last night Anthony DeSclafani put the team in a position to win with a solid five innings before the Brewers scratched out a few too many runs against the Cincinnati bullpen.This afternoon, Luis Castillo will make his second start of the young 2019 season. He’ll look to build upon what was a very solid outing his first time out against the Pirates, but this Brewers lineup is a bit more potent than the Pirate lineup he faced just a little under one week ago.The Brewers will send RHP Freddy Peralta to the bump. Peralta’s first go at things in 2019 did not go so well, as he pitched just three innings after a 39-pitch first inning against St. Louis. Peralta made 14 starts for the Brewers in 2018 with two relief appearances. That resulted in 78.1 IP of 4.25 ERA ball. His FIP suggested that he was a bit unlucky in his results, though, at 3.72. Peralta had been strikeout numbers, too (11 K/9), but is also proned to a walk or few.Yasiel Puig and Tucker Barnhart are both getting a day off today Carlos Carrasco Jersey , where Matt Kemp and Curt Casali will fill into their lineup spots.Go Reds! They are, as you are aware by now, my favorite team.Reds lineupBrewers Lineup