Pittsburgh Pirates vs
St. Louis CardinalsPredictions & Preview

Cardinals Favored to Win Against Pirates in Second Game of Series at Busch Stadium

The Pittsburgh Pirates will face off against the St. Louis Cardinals in the second game of their series at Busch Stadium. Bailey Falter and Lance Lynn will be the starting pitchers, with the Pirates looking to continue their success against the Cardinals after winning two of three in their previous series. The game is scheduled for 7:45 PM Eastern time, with St. Louis favored to win.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Pirates +124 | Cardinals -139
• Spread: Pirates +1.5 (-175) | Cardinals -1.5 (+150)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that St. Louis will win straight-up is 58%.

Pittsburgh vs St. Louis Stats

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates avoided a sweep by the Kansas City Royals at home with a 4-3 victory in the series finale on Sunday. Shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa had a strong performance, contributing three hits, scoring twice, and driving in a run. Despite starter Jared Jones not factoring in the decision after four innings, the bullpen, led by reliever Aroldis Chapman, secured the win with Chapman earning his ninth save of the season. Pittsburgh's offense has been struggling recently, scoring three runs or less in three of their previous four games. Despite this, Kiner-Falefa has a 1-1 record with a 4.08 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in two starts and two relief appearances against the Cardinals. Third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes remains on the 10-day IL with a back issue. The Pirates currently have a power ranking of 28, ranking 21st in offense (averaging 4.21 runs per game) and 21st in defense (allowing an average of 4.57 runs per game) with a season record of 71-79.

St. Louis Cardinals Analysis

The St. Louis Cardinals have faced some recent challenges, losing their last three games including a close 3-2 defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays. Right fielder Lars Nootbaar had a strong performance with two hits, two RBIs, and a home run in the loss. Starting pitcher Miles Mikolas pitched five innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits. The Cardinals' bullpen gave up one run in three innings of work. The team has been struggling to score, with three runs or less in their past three games. The Cardinals are currently ranked 17th in power rankings, are 25th in offense, and 19th in defense. Despite their recent struggles, they hold an even record of 75-75. The upcoming series against the Pittsburgh Pirates will be crucial, as the Pirates have won two out of their last three matchups against the Cardinals. Additionally, catcher Willson Contreras remains on the 10-day IL with a finger injury.

Pirates Struggling on the Road, Cardinals Poised for Victory at Home

The Pittsburgh Pirates have encountered difficulties while playing away from their home stadium, losing four out of their last five series, with notable defeats at the hands of the Dodgers and Padres. Their record on the road stands at a 52% loss rate. Against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, the Pirates have been unsuccessful in recent matchups, including their most recent encounter earlier this season. The Cardinals pitching staff has been particularly effective in home games against the Pirates, maintaining a 3.19 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP in their last 10 contests. They have held opponents to three runs or less in four out of their last five home games. St. Louis has demonstrated strong home form in their previous series, losing only once. Offensively, the Cardinals hold the upper hand in this matchup, ranking 13th in batting average compared to the Pirates' 23rd position. Given the statistics and trends, a St. Louis victory at home on Tuesday seems likely. Betting on the Cardinals with the money line is recommended.

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