The Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals square off Monday in MLB action from Busch Stadium. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Pittsburgh Pirates will send out Paul Skenes for the start here and Skenes is 10-2 with a 2.10 ERA and 151 strikeouts this season. In his career, Skenes is 0-1 with a 1.23 ERA and 16 strikeouts against the Cardinals. The St. Louis Cardinals will start Andre Pallante here and Pallante is 6-8 with a 4.13 ERA and 77 strikeouts this season. In his career, Pallante is 0-0 with a 1.38 ERA and 8 strikeouts against Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Pirates Recap
The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this one looking to bounce back after a series loss to the Kansas City Royals despite a 4-3 win in Sunday’s series finale. The loss in the set meant that the Pirates were unable to build on their series sweep over the Marlins to start the week.
Pirates Trying To Finish At .500
Bryan Reynolds leads the Pirates with 163 hits with 29 doubles along with 22 home runs and 85 RBIs while Andrew McCutchen has 20 home runs and Michael A. Taylor has 12 stolen bases. Oneil Cruz has 22 stolen bases and 172 strikeouts while also posting 34 doubles, 19 home runs, and 74 RBIs and Connor Joe has a .228 batting average and 22 doubles as well this season. Ke’Bryan Hayes also has 11 stolen bases as well this season.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win
- The Cardinals have lost eight of their last nine night games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pirates have won each of their last seven games as favorites after playing the previous day.
- The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last eight road games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line each of their last six night games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
St. Louis Cardinals Recap
The St. Louis Cardinals come into this one looking to rebound after being swept by the Toronto Blue Jays including a 3-2 loss in Sunday’s series finale. The loss meant that the Cardinals were unable to build on their series win over the Cincinnati Reds from earlier in the week.
Cardinals Hanging Around .500 Down The Stretch
Nolan Arenado has 143 hits along with 21 doubles and 66 RBIs while Brendan Donovan has 145 hits and 63 RBIs with 30 doubles. Nolan Gorman has 19 home runs along with 50 RBIs in addition to 15 doubles while Masyn Winn has a .271 batting average, 145 hits, and 11 stolen bases. Paul Goldschmidt also has 160 K’s while Gorman has 151 strikeouts as well this season. Alec Burleson also has a team-high 21 home runs and 73 RBIs as well this year. The Cards will face the Guardians following this series.
Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win
- The Pirates have lost each of their last six road games against the Cardinals following a home win.
- The Cardinals have won six of their last seven games as underdogs against NL Central opponents following a loss.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the last seven games between the Pirates and Cardinals.
- The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four night games against NL Central opponents following a home win.
St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction
I’m on the Pirates here. I just think that the Pirates are trying to at least play spoiler down the stretch and while the Cards don’t have much to play for in their own right, this team just can’t get too high or too low around the .500 mark. The thing is though, that Skenes has shown no sign of letting up as he’s still looking to compete for rookie of the year and I think the Pirates back him up in this one. Give me the Pirates.