EARLY SITUATIONAL DESTRUCTION (OFF HUGE 4-1 THURSDAY!)
(MLB) Pittsburgh vs. Chi Cubs, 04/14/2017 10:20 AM, Score: 4 - 2
Money Line: -180.00 Chi Cubs (Home)
Result: Loss
This is a 7* SITUATIONAL DESTRUCTION on the Chicago Cubs.

For the most part MLB handicapping comes down to the starting pitching and for the most part, the best indicator we have when properly assessing starting pitching is "recent performance" and strong trends. In this case, we feel that the talent discrepancy on the mound this afternoon absolutely justifies in laying this larger price.

Gerrit Cole: He's 0-1 with a 6.55 ERA this year. Last Sunday he went six frames against the light-hitting Braves and gave up three runs off eight hits and two walks with four K's. Note that he was just 2-5 with a pedestrian 4.21 ERA in all "day" games last season.

Kyle Hendricks: He's 1-0 with a 6.00 ERA so far this year, earning the victory on Saturday over Milwaukee despite not being at his absolute best, giving up four runs off five hits and a walk over six frames. It was two home runs which attributed to the higher than normal run count (last year Hendricks allowed just 15 in 30 starts).

The bottom line: A date at home is just what the doctor ordered for Hendricks, last year he was 9-2 with a 1.35 ERA at Wrigley (also 9-3 with a highly respectable 2.42 ERA in all "day" games). We like the rock-steady Hendricks over the volatile Cole in this matchup. Lay the price, play on the CUBS.

AAA Sports