Pirates vs Cardinals Prediction 4/28/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Pirates vs Cardinals prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, April 28th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 16-13 this year after they lost game one by a score of 4-2 on Monday night. Pittsburgh led 2-0 for almost the whole game, but they allowed four runs in the ninth for the loss. The Pirates recorded eight hits in the game and they were led by Mangum and O’Hearn, who both had one RBI. Dotel allowed zero hits and zero earned runs over 4.0 innings, while Santana blew the save and got the loss. Prior to this series, Pittsburgh won two out of three against the Brewers, but lost two out of three against the Rangers before that. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 3.36 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and a .218 opponent batting average, while they have scored 137 runs with a .241 batting average and a .324 on base percentage. Oneil Cruz has led the Pirates with eight home runs and 24 RBIs, while Brandon Lowe has added seven home runs and 19 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Bubba Chandler, who is 1-2 with a 4.88 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP over 24.0 innings pitched this year. 

St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals are 15-13 this season after they won game one in dramatic fashion last night. St. Louis really struggled at the plate in the first eight innings, but they found life in the ninth to get the win. The Cardinals recorded six hits in the game and they were led by Fermin, who went 2-2 with two RBIs. May allowed seven hits and two earned runs over 6.0 innings, while Fernandez got the win and Soriano picked up the save. Prior to this series, St. Louis lost all three against the Mariners and two out of three against the Marlins. 

This season, St. Louis has a 4.77 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP and a .260 opponent batting average, while they have scored 129 runs with a .234 batting average and a .321 on base percentage. Jordan Walker has led the Cardinals with eight home runs and 16 RBIs, while Alec Burleson has added three home runs and 17 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for St. Louis is Kyle Leahy, who is 2-3 with a 5.63 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP over 24.0 innings pitched this season.

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Cardinals have lost each of their last seven games against the Pirates following a road win.
• The Pirates have won each of their last six games following a home loss.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last seven games following a home loss.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five road games against National League opponents following a win.
• The Cardinals have trailed after 5 innings in eight of their last nine games as road underdogs against National League opponents.
• The Pirates have won the first inning in four of their last five games against the Cardinals.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in each of their last four home games.

Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win

• The Pirates have lost each of their last nine home games against NL Central opponents.
• The Cardinals have won each of their last six Tuesday games as underdogs.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight home games against NL Central opponents.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in 12 of the Cardinals’ last 13 games at PNC Park.
• The Cardinals have led after 5 innings in three of their last four night games against NL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Eight of the Cardinals’ last nine games as underdogs against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Seven of the Pirates’ last eight games as favorites against the Cardinals have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of Bubba Chandler’s last eight appearances as a starter.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in four of the Cardinals’ last five night games against National League opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Jared Triolo has recorded two or more hits in each of his last two home appearances.
• Jared Triolo has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances with the Pirates as home favorites.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Ramon Urias has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven road appearances against NL Central opponents.
• Nolan Gorman has hit a home run in three of his last nine appearances with the Cardinals as underdogs against the Pirates.

Pirates vs Cardinals Prediction 

St. Louis snapped their losing streak with a win on Monday night, but they have scored two runs or fewer in three of their last five games. The Cardinals are 8-5 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 8-6 at home. Pittsburgh has split their last four games, but they have scored two runs or fewer in three of their last five. St. Louis is starting Leahy, who has allowed seven earned runs and 13 hits in his last 10.0 innings, so I will take the Pirates -1.5 in this one.