St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates MLB Picks, Odds, Predictions 8/10/2021
St. Louis Cardinals (55-56) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (41-71)
August 10, 2021 7:05 pm EDT
The Line: Pittsburgh Pirates +100 / St. Louis Cardinals -132; Over/Under: -9.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates meet Tuesday in MLB action from PNC Park. The Cardinals are coming off a weekend series versus the Royals. St. Louis won the first two games but missed out on the sweep with a Sunday loss. As for the Pirates, they played the Reds over the weekend. Pittsburgh lost all four of those games. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
St. Louis took care of the Royals 4-2 Friday and 5-2 in the Saturday game. In the Sunday finale however, the Cards had a rough loss 6-5. St. Louis tied the game late in the finale but couldn’t complete the comeback. Starter Jon Lester gave up five earned on six hits and two walks in 5.1 frames.
For the Tuesday starter, the Cardinals are sending out JA Happ. This year Happ has a 5-6 record with a 6.62 ERA, a 1.57 WHIP and 81 Ks.
Over on the Pirates’ side, they had no luck versus the Reds over the weekend. Pittsburgh lost 7-4 Thursday, 10-0 Friday, 11-3 Saturday and 3-2 in the Sunday finale. Sunday starter Bryse Wilson put up 6.0 innings with six hits, one walk and three earned in the defeat.
For the starting pitcher gig on Tuesday, the Pirates are sending out Steven Brault. In his lone start this year Brault has three hits, one walk, one earned and two strikeouts. He’s been sidelined most of the year with injuries.
The Cardinals are 7-3 in their last 10 after a loss and 7-17 in their last 24 road games. St. Louis is 6-15 in their last 21 versus the NL Central and 7-17 in their last 24 road games.
Meanwhile, the Pirates are 29-60 in their last 89 overall and 17-42 in their last 59 after a loss. Pittsburgh is 2-5 in their last seven home games and 2-5 in their last seven in game one of a series.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Cardinals here, but probably staying away. Neither of these teams is all that reliable these days. The good news for St. Louis is that they showed some life over the weekend versus the Royals. It was a much-needed series win after getting swept by the Braves (and outscored 21-9 in the process). I think Brault can keep his team in the hunt however, so this one should be pretty interesting to watch.
