Handicapper Big Al McMordie Free Sports Picks

At 1:35 pm, our selection is on the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Chicago Cubs.  It's been an up-and-down season for the Pirates, and right now is a bit of a down.  Their ace, Paul Skenes, got rocked again (five runs in 5 1/3 IP) in an 11-0 Cubs blowout on Saturday.  That means Chicago goes for the sweep today at PNC Park.  Speaking of ups and downs, Braxton Ashcraft has had that kind of season, as well.  After a stellar first half which resulted in his first All-Star selection, Ashcraft came back after the break and proceeded to have his shortest -- and worst -- start of the season, lasting three innings in an ugly loss.  But that was against the Yankees in the Bronx, so we'll give the 26-year-old RHP a mulligan and look for him to bounce back this afternoon in his 21st start of the season.  Ashcraft has done his best work of 2026 during the day, as in nine afternoon starts he is 4-1 with a 3.23 ERA (vs. 5-3 and 4.35 in 11 starts under the lights).  He's also dominated the Cubs this season, going 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA with 14 strikeouts and two walks in two starts covering 11 1/3 innings.  Take Pittsburgh.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.