Cubs vs. Pirates: Betting Insights on MLB's Latest Showdown

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Cubs' Struggles Continue in the NL Central

The Chicago Cubs, after an impressive series of 10 consecutive wins, have drastically reversed their fortunes, finding themselves 2-13 in their recent games. The team, once a top contender, is now struggling significantly in the National League Central, chasing teams above them in the standings. Tonight, they face the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are favoring their pitcher, Brandon Ashcraft. His performance has been notably efficient, making it a challenging matchup for the Cubs.

Ashcraft, known for his proficiency and low pitch count per inning, seems poised to extend the Cubs' losing streak. With the Cubs' recent approach of not aggressively engaging pitches early in the count, Ashcraft's style of gaining early count advantages could particularly exploit their current weaknesses. Moreover, the betting markets are favoring Ashcraft to continue this trend, with a prop bet offering appealing odds on him keeping his walks under 1.5 due to his effective pitching style combined with the Cubs' passive batting strategy.

Considering the ongoing trends and matchups, it appears more probable that the Cubs' struggles might extend, marking another loss in what could be a continuation of their losing trend.