Pirates vs. Rays Prediction and Odds for June 25 (Oneil Cruz Deserves Better Than Tropicana Field)
By Josh Yourish
Tampa Bay took control of their weekend interleague series with Pittsburgh with a walk-off in the tenth inning. Harold Ramirez was the hero last night and today Corey Kluber looks to win Game 2 on Saturday afternoon at the trop.
JT Brubaker gets the start for the Pirates as they look to even the series down in Tampa.
Odds are available at WynnBET Sportsbook
Pirates vs. Rays Odds, Run Line and Total
Run Line
- Pirates +1.5 (-155)
- Rays -1.5 (+127)
Moneyline
- Pirates +153
- Rays -168
Total
- 7.0 (Over -120 / Under +100)
Pirates vs. Rays Prediction and Pick
Frankly, I think it’s unjust that we have to watch these games get played at Tropicana Field when they could have easily been scheduled at PNC Park. All due respect to Oracle Park, Fenway, Wrigley, Dodger Stadium, but PNC is the most beautiful baseball stadium in the world. The views of the city are unbelievable. The Clemente Bridge (even though it is going through repairs right now) is an incredible sight. Hell, I have the Clemente Bridge tattooed on my rib cage. Instead we have to watch baseball games in the ugliest dome in sports. For that reason alone, I lean towards the Pirates.
Beyond that there is the Oneil Cruz factor. Remember when Wander Franco was the next big thing? Yeah, me neither. Oneil Cruz has arrived and is an absolute electric factory worthy of a stadium like PNC Park. He has played in five games and has seven RBI, last night was his first game this year without one. Are the traditional numbers staggering? Not yet. He has just a .686 OPS and has yet to homer this year in the majors, but his average exit velocity is 93.3, five MPH above league average and his hard hit percentage is 41.2.
Oneil Cruz looks like a star in the big leagues and for that reason, you have to ride with this Pirates team. They’re just too fun right now.
Pick: Pirates +1.5 (-155)
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