Pittsburgh Pirates vs
St. Louis CardinalsPredictions & Preview

Cardinals Look to Continue Winning Streak Against Pirates in Final Series Matchup

On Wednesday, September 18th, the St. Louis Cardinals will face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the final game of their series at Busch Stadium. Following a 3-1 victory in game 2, the Cardinals look to continue their momentum with Sonny Gray on the mound. The Pirates, who have yet to announce their starting pitcher, aim to even the series. Fans can catch all the action on Bally Sports Midwest and SportsNet-PIT. With both teams hungry for a win, it promises to be an exciting matchup. Jake Woodford will pitch for the Pirates with an ERA of 8.01, while Sonny Gray will pitch for the Cardinals with an ERA of 3.75. St. Louis is the betting favorite, opening at -199, with the current line at St. Louis -190.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Pirates +167 | Cardinals -190
• Spread: Pirates +1.5 (-125) | Cardinals -1.5 (+105)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that St. Louis will win straight-up is 66%.

Pittsburgh vs St. Louis Stats

Pittsburgh Pirates

In game 2 against the Cardinals, Pirates pitcher Bailey Falter delivered a strong performance, pitching 5.2 innings with 4 hits and 2 earned runs allowed, as well as recording 3 strikeouts. Offensively, Nick Yorke went 3 for 4, while Bryan De La Cruz hit a home run. However, the Pirates fell to the Cardinals 3-1. The team faces challenges with key players like Oneil Cruz, Kyle Nicolas, Ke'Bryan Hayes, and others injured. With a current power ranking of 28, the Pirates are ranked 21 in offense, 20 in defense, and hold a 71-80 record this season. As they continue their series and the season winds down, the Pirates will look to improve their offensive output and overcome their injury challenges.

St. Louis Cardinals Analysis

In a strong performance in game 2 against the Pirates, the Cardinals showcased their pitching depth with Lance Lynn leading the way and relievers Fernandez, Liberatore, and Helsley contributing scoreless innings. Jordan Walker and Luken Baker stood out on offense with key hits and RBIs, leading to a solid 3-1 victory. Sonny Gray, with his impressive career stats, will take the mound in the upcoming final game of the series. The Cardinals, currently ranked 18th in power rankings, will look to improve their offense ranked at 25th, as they aim to secure a victory against the Pirates. Despite Pittsburgh winning 2 out of their last 3 matchups against St. Louis, the Cardinals are looking to build on their recent success and continue their positive momentum.

Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals struggle to stay afloat in NL Central Division

The Pittsburgh Pirates currently hold a fifth place position in the National League Central Division with a record of 71-80. Their offensive statistics include an average of 4.18 runs and 7.96 hits per game, with a team batting average of .235 and an on-base percentage of .302. The Pirates have struggled to outscore their opponents, as indicated by their -57 run differential this season. On the defensive side, opponents have been able to score an average of 4.56 runs and 8.55 hits per game against the Pirates, with a collective batting average of .251 and on-base percentage of .322. The Pirates have performed well against the run line with an 80-71 record this season, particularly on the road with a 43-30 record. However, their recent struggles to cover the run line in their last five games and in only three of their last 11 games have been a cause for concern.

The St. Louis Cardinals are currently in third place in the National League Central Division with a 76-75 record. Their offense averages 4.07 runs and 8.35 hits per game, with a .246 batting average and .309 on-base percentage. However, the Cardinals have been outscored by opponents, indicated by their -63 run differential. Against St. Louis, opposing teams have been able to score an average of 4.49 runs and 8.37 hits per game, while batting .248 with a .308 on-base percentage. To improve their position in the division, the Cardinals must focus on strengthening their pitching and defense to better complement their productive offense.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ]