The Pirates ride a six-game skid into a ChI-Cubs showdown at Wrigley, with Chicago favored in a power-laden NL Central matchup. Colin Rea gets the ball for the Cubs, while Pittsburgh hasn’t named a starter yet. The betting board features Cubs at -202 and a nine-run total, but SportsLine’s model pegs value on one side and projects a low-scoring night around 8.6 runs. Reynolds and McCutchen pace Pittsburgh’s bats, while Suzuki and Crow-Armstrong anchor Chicago’s lineup. The Cubs’ post‑loss run line and home strengths are noted, as is Chicago’s favorable home cadence. New user promos and the model’s run-prop edge are highlighted.

In a deeper dive, the piece flags strong trends: Pittsburgh’s slump-tinged road underdog status (26-22 run line) contrasts with Chicago’s 34-17 run line after losses and 36-20 mark at home. The SportsLine projection has a disciplined posture, urging bettors to consider the Under and a single money-line edge, backed by a model that’s historically net-positive on MLB picks and homer props.

The Reds exploded for 14 runs, stamping a decisive road win at Pittsburgh as Elly De La Cruz kicked things off with an RBI single and Miguel Andujar followed with a three‑run homer. Cincinnati never let up, with Noelvi Marte and Spencer Steer padding the cushion and Steer delivering a two‑run double before later adding a two‑run homer for insurance. Pittsburgh battled back briefly, tying the game on timely hits and a Kasper-like run, but the Reds pulled away late with a multi‑run eighth. The slugfest underscored Cincinnati’s breakout push and highlighted several players fantasy managers will want to chase down the stretch.

Key contributors for Cincinnati: De La Cruz, Andujar, Marte, and Steer supplied the offense in waves, while Yohan Ramírez yielded early damage before the bullpen steadied. For Pittsburgh, Jack Suwinski and Bryan Reynolds contributed, Isiah Kiner-Falefa lined a two‑run double and Spencer Horwitz added a run‑scoring single, but the late surge by Cincinnati overwhelmed the Pirates. The final 14‑8 tilt leaves Cincinnati at 62‑57 and Pittsburgh at 51‑68, with the Reds asserting themselves as legitimate playoff hopefuls in this intraleague showdown.

Fantasy takeaway: buy into Reds bats now—De La Cruz, Marte, Andujar, and Steer have multi‑hitter upside, while the depth of Cincinnati’s lineup supports weekly streaming. For Pittsburgh, streaming opportunities are slimmer but situational plays like Suwinski and Reynolds can still help in deeper formats, especially when they face righty‑heavy matches. Target the Reds’ ongoing power surge and monitor bullpen usage as Cincinnati looks to push this run production trend forward.

Today's slate of MLB player prop bets is highlighted by intriguing home run prop opportunities. Starting off is Riley Greene of the Detroit Tigers, who boasts impressive stats against right-handed pitchers (RHP) and faces Max Scherzer, who has struggled with the long ball this season. Greene has an outstanding .614 slugging percentage against RHP, making his +370 odds appealing.

Next up is Andrew McCutchen from the Pittsburgh Pirates, with odds of +475 against Zac Gallen. McCutchen's age hasn't diminished his power, and his recent performance has shown an uptick in exit velocity. This matchup against Gallen, who has surrendered 14 home runs to right-handed hitters, presents a prime opportunity for McCutchen to extend his consecutive season streak of hitting 10 or more homers.

Trevor Larnach of the Minnesota Twins is another highlighted player, facing Jake Irvin. With 10 of Larnach's home runs coming off Irvin's favored pitches, he presents an interesting bet. Agustin Ramirez of the Miami Marlins is also in the mix, as he has been solid this season and is facing Brandon Woodruff, who has given up notable hard hits early in his season. Finally, Cody Bellinger is expected to make an impact against Zach Wheeler, especially playing in Yankee Stadium where he has historically thrived. Each player's prop reflects their matchup and current form, making these bets worth considering.

Paul Skenes showcased his exceptional talent on the mound, allowing just three hits and striking out six batters over six innings as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Detroit Tigers 3-0. Skenes, now boasting a 1.91 ERA, earned his first win since late May, bouncing back from a tough stretch for the Pirates. The Pirates' offense was led by Spencer Horwitz's three hits, including a key run-scoring single, and Bryan Reynolds' two-run single that provided crucial support for Skenes. Detroit's struggles continued with Jack Flaherty suffering his seventh consecutive winless outing.

In a game where Skenes showed remarkable control, the closest the Tigers came to scoring was in the third inning, but Skenes expertly navigated the danger, striking out the last batter with a 99 mph fastball. The Pirates' bullpen, anchored by David Bednar, held the lead, securing the victory. Andrew McCutchen also made headlines by surpassing Willie Stargell in career hits, solidifying his legacy further.

Andrew McCutchen, at 38, stands as the last active position player to have played in the Metrodome, highlighting a remarkable career. He recalls hitting his first MLB home run off Francisco Liriano in 2009, a moment that solidified his place in baseball history as he now competes at Target Field. Drafted by the Pirates in 2005, McCutchen's journey reflects the evolution of player management strategies, particularly regarding service time and arbitration eligibility.

Returning to Pittsburgh after stints with several teams, McCutchen's commitment to the game remains evident. His performance and work ethic continue to inspire both teammates and fans. Despite the struggles of the Pirates this season, McCutchen embodies resilience and professionalism.