Chicago at Pittsburgh

We approach the midway point of the 2009 MLB season, and two things are apparent. The Chicago Cubs aren't the same team we saw last year, and their road struggles have been very troubling, as they enter here with just a 15-24 mark overall. The other is the fact that the Pirates have become a viable team, especially at home where they have logged an impressive 21-15 mark to date. The Cubs have another problem with Ted Lilly on the mound. He has struggled over his last three starts with a 5+ ERA and has allowed 25 hits in just 19 innings, and five of those have left the park! Ross Ohlendorf has been more than a serviceable pitcher for the Pirates as they are now 8-5 in his last 13 starts and better yet, they are 6-1 in his last seven at home. This looks like a very live dog here, and I'm going with the Pirates.