EASY EASY Money on this Over/Under - Pirates vs Cardinals
Read our expert analysis and prediction for the upcoming Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals game. Get the latest odds and insights to cash in on this matchup.
Game Summary
The Pittsburgh Pirates will be facing off against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 18 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. This matchup features two teams with contrasting fortunes this season. The Pirates have a record of 76-75, making them competitive in the NL Central, while the Cardinals are struggling with a 71-80 record. The stakes are high as both teams aim to finish the season strong. The Pirates have shown resilience, particularly on the road, with a 35-40 record away from home, while the Cardinals have had a tough time at Busch Stadium, finishing the season at 38-40.
In terms of recent performance, the Pirates have won their last two games against the Cardinals, showcasing their ability to compete against division rivals. The Cardinals, on the other hand, are looking to break a losing streak and regain some momentum. Both teams have had fluctuating results, but the Pirates seem to have the edge with their batting average and pitching performance. The Pirates have scored 611 runs this season, ranking 25th in MLB, while the Cardinals have slightly outperformed them with 627 runs, ranking 21st. However, the key to this matchup will be the starting pitchers, Sonny Gray for the Pirates and Jake Woodford for the Cardinals, where Gray’s solid performance (13 wins, 3.75 ERA) contrasts sharply with Woodford’s struggles (0 wins, 8.01 ERA).
As they head into this matchup, factors such as recent injuries, key player performances, and the overall team dynamics will heavily influence the outcome. The weather is mostly sunny with a temperature of 85°F, ideal for baseball. With both teams vying for a strong finish, this game promises to be an exciting encounter.
Odds and Betting Lines
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over | -128 |
| Under | +104 |
| Point Totals | 7.5 |
Pitching Probables
| Player | W-L | ERA | WHIP | IP | H | K | BB | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonny Gray (PIT) | 13-9 | 3.75 | 1.07 | 160.2 | 133 | 195 | 39 | 21 |
| Jake Woodford (STL) | 0-6 | 8.01 | 1.62 | 30.1 | 40 | 21 | 9 | 5 |
Team Previews
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates have had an up-and-down season, boasting a decent batting average of .246, which ranks them 13th in the league. Their pitching staff has an ERA of 4.08, placing them 17th overall. Key players like Masyn Winn, who leads the team with a batting average of .271, and Paul Goldschmidt, who has hit 21 home runs, have been instrumental in their offensive efforts. The Pirates have also been strong in relief pitching with 50 saves, ranking 2nd in the league. However, they have struggled with errors, tallying 68 on the season, which places them 25th.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals have struggled significantly this season, with their batting average at .235, putting them at 24th in MLB. Their pitching has also been a weak spot, with an ERA of 4.13, ranking 19th. Bryan Reynolds has been a standout player for the Cardinals, holding a .280 batting average and 22 home runs. However, their overall team performance has been marred by injuries and poor pitching, most notably from Jake Woodford, who has yet to secure a win this season and holds an ERA of 8.01. The Cardinals need to tighten their defense, as they have made 83 errors, ranking 11th in MLB.
Team Injuries
Pittsburgh Pirates
| Player Name | Position | Injury | Injury Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oneil Cruz | SS | Ankle | Probable for Sep 18 |
St. Louis Cardinals
| Player Name | Position | Injury | Injury Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willson Contreras | C | Finger | Out for the season |
Betting Trends
- Pittsburgh is 4-1 in their last 5 games.
- St. Louis is 1-4 in their last 5 games against Pittsburgh.
- The total has gone over in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games.
- The total has gone under in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games at home.
Recent Games
Pittsburgh Pirates
| Opponent | Score | W/L |
|---|---|---|
| vs Philadelphia | W 8-7 | W |
| vs Philadelphia | W 4-1 | W |
| vs St. Louis | L 2-1 | L |
| vs St. Louis | W 5-0 | W |
| @ Arizona | L 9-5 | L |
St. Louis Cardinals
| Opponent | Score | W/L |
|---|---|---|
| @ Atlanta | L 3-2 | L |
| @ Pittsburgh | L 2-1 | L |
| vs Washington | L 10-8 | L |
| vs Washington | L 14-3 | L |
| vs Texas | W 4-3 | W |
Team Rankings
| Category | Pittsburgh Pirates | St. Louis Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting | 13th | 24th |
| Starting Pitching | 34th (ERA) | 19th (ERA) |
| Relief Pitching | 2nd (Saves) | 12th (Saves) |
| Fielding | 25th (Errors) | 11th (Errors) |
Significant Betting Stats
- Pittsburgh has hit the over in 4 of their last 6 games.
- St. Louis has averaged 4.1 runs per game in their last 5 games.
- Sonny Gray has a 1.07 WHIP this season, showing strong control.
- Jake Woodford’s 8.01 ERA suggests potential for high scoring against him.
- Both teams have struggled defensively this season.
- Pittsburgh's batting average of .246 gives them a chance to score runs.
- The Cardinals have allowed an average of 5.3 runs per game in their last 5.
- Pittsburgh's last head-to-head match saw 9 total runs scored.
- The Pirates are 6-4 in their last 10 games against teams with losing records.
- St. Louis has been inconsistent, impacting their scoring potential.
Weather
Weather conditions for the game are mostly sunny with a temperature of 85°F.
