Cardinals vs Pirates Prediction 8/29/26 MLB Picks Today
Pittsburgh Pirates (65-71) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (68-68)
August 29, 2026 2:15 pm EDT
The Line: St. Louis Cardinals -126 / Pittsburgh Pirates 104; Over/Under: 8
(Get latest betting odds)
The Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals meet Saturday in MLB action at Busch Stadium. Here’s a Cardinals vs Pirates Prediction. This article will include a Cardinals vs Pirates Pick.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 65-71 on the year and play the Giants and Angels next. The Pittsburgh Pirates are batting .252 on the season, with a .329 OBP and a .403 slugging percentage. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching staff has a 4.21 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Nick Gonzales leads the Pittsburgh Pirates with 145 hits and 56 RBI, while Bryan Reynolds and Brandon Lowe have combined for 254 hits and 146 RBI.
Lake Bachar gets the ball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he is 1-3 with a 3.70 ERA and 75 strikeouts this season. Bachar is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA and 5 strikeouts in his career against the St. Louis Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
The St. Louis Cardinals are 68-68 on the year and play the Rockies and Dodgers next. The St. Louis Cardinals are batting .241 on the season, with a .316 OBP and a .383 slugging percentage. The St. Louis Cardinals’ pitching staff has a 4.22 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Alec Burleson leads the St. Louis Cardinals with 149 hits and 99 RBI, while Jordan Walker and Ivan Herrera have combined for 272 hits and 150 RBI.
Kyle Leahy gets the ball for the St. Louis Cardinals, and he is 10-4 with a 3.13 ERA and 115 strikeouts this season. Leahy is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 22 strikeouts in his career against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win
- The Cardinals have won eight of their last nine day games after playing the previous day.
- The Pirates have lost seven of their last eight day games against NL opponents.
- The Cardinals have covered the run line in each of their last seven home games after playing the previous day.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games against NL Central opponents.
- The Cardinals have led after 5 innings in each of their last eight games against NL Central opponents.
- The Cardinals have won the first inning in each of their last five day games against NL opponents.
- The Cardinals have led after 3 innings in each of their last six home day games.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Cardinals have lost each of their last four games as favorites following a home win.
- The underdogs have won five of the Cardinals’ last six games at Busch Stadium.
- The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games as favorites following a win.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Cardinals’ last seven games at Busch Stadium.
- The Pirates have led after 5 innings in three of their last four games against the Cardinals.
- The Pirates have led after 3 innings in each of their last five Saturday road games.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Pirates’ last seven games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Eight of the Cardinals’ last nine games have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of Kyle Leahy’s last six home appearances as a starter.
- There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Pirates’ last four games.
St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts
- Kyle Leahy has recorded four or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight appearances against NL Central opponents.
- Jordan Walker has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cardinals’ last nine games as favorites against NL opponents.
- Kyle Leahy has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances.
- Jordan Walker has hit a home run in two of the Cardinals’ last three games against NL Central opponents.
Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
- Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in two of his last three road appearances against the Cardinals after playing the previous day.
- Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances against the Cardinals after playing the previous day.
Cardinals vs Pirates Prediction
The Pirates aren’t a team I’m excited to back, and I’m even less interested in an opener. I don’t like a million relief pitchers getting involved in my bet. Leahy is the more trustworthy arm with a 3.13 ERA and 1.30 WHIP through 126.1 frames. In his last 25 innings, Leahy has allowed 25 hits and 4 runs. Leahy looks like an all-star right now. The Cards are at home and still somewhat in the wild card race. Cheap price. Give me the Cardinals.