Cubs vs. Pirates Prediction and Odds for Monday, June 20 (Pirates Valuable in O'Neil Cruz's Possible Debut)

The youth movement in Pittsburgh is about to pick up.

On the heels of a walk off home run from rookie Jack Suwinski, the Pirates announced that they are calling up 6'7" shortstop O'Neil Cruz to the big league club. Cruz has crushed it in the minor leagues and looks primed to make a run at Rookie of the Year. While the Pirates may still be in a rebuild, we should start to see the glimpses of upside in the near future.

The team welcomes the Chicago Cubs for an NL Central series. Here are the odds for the opener from WynnBET Sportsbook:

Cubs vs. Pirates Odds, Run Line, Total

Run Line:

• Cubs: -1.5 (+150)
• Pirates: +1.5 (-180)

Moneylne:

• Cubs: -103
• Pirates: -107

Total: 8 (Over -115/Under -105)

Cubs vs. Pirates Prediction and Pick

It's great that the Pirates are starting to showcase their budding talent in the farm system, but regardless of this, I don't see why they are a near pick 'em against the lowly Cubs.

Pirates starter J.T. Brubaker may have an 0-7 record on the year, but I'm here to tell you he's a bit better than expected. He has an ERA of 4.50 and a FIP that hints he's actually been a bit better at 4.38. While Brubaker has left something to be desired he has been better from a strikeout-to-walk perspective and ERA after struggling in April.

The main reason why I can't get to this price, though, is the Cubs recent play and their starting pitcher on Monday. Caleb Kilian has made two big league starts and been solid, pitching at home to decent results, but I can't trust him on the road with eight earned runs and seven walks across nine innings.

This is purely a value play on the Pirates, who may continue to get a boost from the rookie movement, but also a pitcher that has been better than his numbers indicate at home.

LEAN: Pirates ML -107