Cubs vs. Pirates prediction and odds for Wednesday, June 21 (Back Cubbies to knock Rich Hill around)

The Chicago Cubs continue to jockey for position in the NL Central despite being under .500, and will look to surpass the Pittsburgh Pirates in the series finale on Wednesday afternoon.

Kyle Hendricks toes the rubber for the Cubs while the Pirates counter with veteran left hander Rich Hill. Hill has found ways to success this season in his age-43 campaign, can he keep down the Cubs lineup that has thrived against southpaws?

Here are the odds for the series finale in Pittsburgh:

Cubs vs. Pirates odds, run line and total

Cubs vs. Pirates prediction and pick

Hill has held up nicely given his advanced age, but the Cubs are a poor matchup for him, sixth in OPS against left handed pitching and should have little issue teeing off on the southpaw.

HIll is walking more than three batters per nine innings and is prone to given up homers at a high rate, 1,28 per nine. He does still generate a ton of whiffs with his devastating curveball, but he can get rocked quickly and he is lucky it hasn't been worse for the Pirates this season. Hill has a 4.31 ERA that is supported by a 5.46 xERA.

The Cubs have the offense to get Hill in trouble and from the game early, and I trust Hendricks to keep it rolling after a strong start to 2023. The former Cy Young winner started the season on the injured list, but has posted a 3.18 ERA thorugh five starts while generating a ton of soft contacts (.32 home runs per nine innings).

This game is lined as a coin flip, and even with the Cubs on the road I can't help but favor them against Hill.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.