The Chicago Cubs hope to rebound and stay atop the National

League Central on Wednesday when they visit the Pittsburgh Pirates (56-52) as small road favorites. The Cubs dropped the series opener to the Pirates 5-4 on Tuesday while the Milwaukee Brewers won their second straight over the Los Angeles Dodgers on the road to pull into a first-place tie in the standings. MLB betting line: The Cubs opened as -117 favorites (wager $117 to win $100); the total is at eight runs Rod Carew Jersey , according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 4.4-2.6, Cubs (MLB picks on every game)Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news.Why the Cubs can pay on the MLB linesIt isn't time to panic just yet in the Windy City, as Chicago is still in prime position to win the division title despite the team's recent slide. The Cubs have lost three of their last four games but will start new addition Cole Hamels (5-9, 4.72 ERA with the Texas Rangers), as he returns to the National League where he enjoyed a lot of success in Philadelphia.The numbers the 34-year-old posted with the Rangers this year before the trade may not seem impressive Brian Dozier Jersey , but a closer look shows he was 4-2 in 10 road starts with a 2.93 ERA. He also pitched well at night, going 5-3 in 14 outings with a 3.49 ERA. Why the Pirates can pay on the MLB linesPittsburgh surprised many with its deadline deals on Tuesday, showing this team is dedicated to making a run at a wild-card berth. The Pirates are only three games out of a playoff spot and added a top-line starter in Chris Archer from the Tampa Bay Rays.While Archer will need to wait to make his Pittsburgh debut, Nick Kingham (5-5, 4.80 ERA) gets the call here looking to get back on track. Gene J. Puskar/Associated PressThe 26-year-old rookie had won three in a row before suffering a setback against the New York Mets last Thursday, surrendering six runs and seven hits in three innings of a 12-6 defeat.Smart betting pickThe Pirates have won the past two meetings after losing four of five in the series. Pittsburgh has also won 14 of 17 overall, while Chicago is sliding and desperately needs a victory in this spot. Fortunately for the Cubs Justin Morneau Jersey , they have dropped as many as two straight just twice since June 25 when they lost five in a row. Look for Chicago to bounce back with Hamels earning the win.MLB betting trendsThe total has gone under in six of Chicago's last eight games.The total has gone under in four of Chicago's last five games against Pittsburgh.Pittsburgh is 2-4 in its last six games at home against Chicago. All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app. It’s the most highly anticipated season of prospect development in the Marlins organization in a handful of years, and Fish Stripes has you covered."The first off day of 2019 for the Miami Marlins is the first on day for their full-season minor league affiliates. The New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A), Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Double-A), Jupiter Hammerheads (High-A) and Clinton LumberKings (Low-A) each play games on Thursday.Courtesy of MiLB.com, here are some of 2018’s most electric highlights from Marlins prospects:With the signings of the Mesa brothers, the nice talent haul received in the J.T. Realmuto trade and several bonafide starting pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , the quality of the Marlins farm system now ranks 13th in Major League Baseball, according to Baseball America. What a pleasant change of pace from the previous several years when the system lacked both depth and high upside.Fish Stripes will be chronicling every step of the 2019 MiLB campaign with traditional articles, social media posts and podcasts. The latter was introduced officially on Wednesday with the launch of Earning Their Stripes and A-Ball with Erik Oas.Opening Day rosters have been announced with in-depth analysis provided for you on ETS Episode 1, plus even more thoughts and predictions from Daniel Martinez here.Marlins CommunicationsThe latest Top 30 lists from Baseball America and MLB Pipeline are loaded with players who have been acquired since the late 2017 Marlins ownership change. Those names are shown in blue. (Sandy Alcantara graduated from prospect eligibility last weekend.)The greatest strength of the organization right now is pitching depth. Probable starters for each affiliate through the end of the week are listed below:ThursdayTriple-A New Orleans: RHP ZacGallen Double-A Jacksonville: RHP RobertDugger High-A Jupiter: LHP TrevorRogers Low-A Clinton: RHP ChrisVallimontFridayNew Orleans: RHP HectorNoesiJacksonville: RHP JorgeGuzmanJupiter: RHP EdwardCabreraClinton: RHP JoshRobersonSaturdayNew Orleans: RHP NickNeidertJacksonville: RHP DustinBeggsJupiter: LHP WillStewartClinton: RHP HumbertoMejiaSundayNew Orleans: RHP JoeGunkelJacksonville: RHP JordanYamamotoJupiter: RHP JordanHollowayClinton: RHP PeytonCulbertsonMost Marlins minor league games—particularly at the Double-A and Triple-A levels—are available to watch on MiLB.TV. A season-long subscription costs $49.99.You can also monitor the box scores and play-by-play details for free on the MiLB First Pitch app or this scoreboard on the Minor League Baseball website.Finally, make sure to follow @fishstripes on Twitter; there will be updates and observations that don’t necessarily make it on the main website.