Cardinals vs Pirates Prediction 8/26/25 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Cardinals vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, August 26th at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals are 65-67 this season after they won game one by a score of 7-6 on Monday night. St. Louis led 6-4 late in the game, but they blew the save, before winning in the bottom of the ninth. The Cardinals recorded 11 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Contreras, who went 1-4 with two RBIs in the win. St. Louis started McGreevy, who allowed six hits and four earned runs over 6.0 innings, while O’Brien blew the save, but also got the win. 

Prior to this series, the Cardinals lost two out of three against the Rays, but did win two out of three against the Marlins before that. St. Louis has lost three of their last five games and they are fourth in the NL Central standings. The St. Louis pitching staff has a 4.31 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and a .258 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 580 runs with a .249 batting average and a .317 on base percentage this season. Wilson Contreras has led St. Louis with 19 home runs, 72 RBIs, and four stolen bases, while Alec Burleson has added 16 home runs and 60 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for St. Louis is Andre Pallante, who is 6-11 with a 5.17 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP over 134.0 innings pitched this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 57-75 this year after they lost game one by a score of 7-6 on Monday. Pittsburgh led 4-1 in the third inning, but they needed a run in the top of the ninth to tie the game, before losing on a walk-off. The Pirates recorded nine hits and they committed two errors in the game, while they were led by Reynolds and Horwitz, who both had two RBIs in the loss. Pittsburgh started Oviedo, who allowed three hits and one earned run over 4.0 innings, while Santana picked up the loss in relief. 

Prior to this series, the Pirates swept the Rockies in three games and won two out of three against the Blue Jays. Pittsburgh has won four of their last five games and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 3.96 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and a .238 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 473 runs with a .234 batting average and a .306 on base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz (IL) has led Pittsburgh with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added 14 home runs and 65 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Mitch Keller, who is 5-12 with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP over 145.0 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Cardinals will beat the Pirates

• The home team has won each of the last eight games between the Pirates and Cardinals.
• The Pirates have lost each of their last seven road games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games at Busch Stadium against teams that held a losing record.
• The Cardinals have covered the run line in eight of their last nine games against the Pirates following a home win.
• The Cardinals have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
• The Cardinals have led after 5 innings in each of their last four games as home favorites against NL Central opponents.

Why the Pirates will beat the Cardinals

• The Cardinals have lost seven of their last eight games as favorites following a win.
• The Pirates have won four of their last five games.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 11 games as favorites following a home win.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in each of their last five road games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in eight of their last 10 games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pirates have won the first inning in each of their last four road games against National League opponents that held a losing record.

Total Runs Facts

• Eight of the Cardinals’ last nine games after playing the previous day have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Each of the Pirates’ last three night games as underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Cardinals’ last eight night games.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 12 of the Pirates’ last 14 games at Busch Stadium.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Brendan Donovan has recorded at least one hit in each of his 21 previous home appearances against the Pirates.
• Alec Burleson has recorded a Double in three of the Cardinals’ last four games as favorites against NL Central opponents.
• Willson Contreras has hit a home run in three of the Cardinals’ last four night games against opponents that held a losing record.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Bryan Reynolds has recorded a Double in each of the Pirates’ last four night games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Oneil Cruz has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances in night games against NL teams that held a losing record.
• Jared Triolo has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven appearances in night games against NL teams that held a losing record.
• Mitch Keller has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last nine Tuesday appearances with the Pirates as underdogs.

Cardinals vs Pirates Prediction 

St. Louis was fortunate to get the win on Monday night in game one, as their offense bailed out some bad pitching. The Cardinals are 36-30 at home this year, while the Pirates are 18-45 on the road. Pittsburgh had their winning streak snapped and they will turn to Keller, who has allowed at least five earned runs in three of his last four starts. St. Louis is starting Pallante, who has allowed 5, 4, and 6 earned runs in his last three outings. Take the over here.