Game Summary

The Pittsburgh Pirates (76-75) travel to face the St. Louis Cardinals (71-80) in what is set to be an intense game at Busch Stadium. The Pirates come into this game with a solid overall record, performing well both at home and on the road, while the Cardinals are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season. The Pirates have been strong hitters, ranking 13th in hits with a total of 1252, despite only managing 611 runs which places them 25th in the league, while their team batting average stands at .246. Conversely, the Cardinals have struggled significantly this season, ranking 23rd in hits with 1194 and have scored 627 runs, putting them 21st overall. Their batting average is even lower at .235, highlighting their offensive struggles.

The Pirates' success this season can be attributed to their pitching, particularly Sonny Gray (13-9, 3.75 ERA), who has been a key player on the mound for them. On the other hand, the Cardinals will be relying on Jake Woodford, who has not had the best season with an 0-6 record and an 8.01 ERA. This pitching matchup heavily favors the Pirates, who are also looking to capitalize on the Cardinals' weaknesses.

This matchup is significant as both teams are looking to build momentum as they head deeper into the season, with the Pirates aiming for a playoff push and the Cardinals looking to salvage their season. Historical matchups show that the Pirates have had the upper hand in recent encounters, adding to their confidence heading into this game. The atmosphere at Busch Stadium is expected to be electric, with fans eager to see if their team can turn their season around against a competitive Pirates squad.

Odds and Betting Lines

Pitching Probables

Team Previews

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates have shown a balanced approach this season, with a mix of solid hitting and reliable pitching. They rank 13th in hits and their overall team batting average of .246 indicates a decent offensive capability. Masyn Winn leads the team with a .271 batting average, while Paul Goldschmidt has provided power with 21 home runs. The pitching staff, led by Sonny Gray, has been a strong point, with Gray's 3.75 ERA showcasing his ability to limit runs effectively. The Pirates' bullpen has also shown depth this season with 50 saves, ranking them second in the league.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals' season has been marred by inconsistency, particularly in their batting lineup, which ranks 24th in the league for batting average. Bryan Reynolds has been a bright spot for the Cardinals, batting .280 and leading with 22 home runs and 85 RBIs. However, the team's overall performance has been disappointing, especially with their pitching struggles highlighted by Jake Woodford's alarming 8.01 ERA. The Cardinals need to find ways to improve both offensively and defensively if they hope to compete effectively in this matchup against the Pirates.

Team Injuries

Pittsburgh Pirates

St. Louis Cardinals

Betting Trends

• Pittsburgh Pirates are 4-1 in their last 5 games.
• St. Louis Cardinals are 1-4 in their last 5 games.
• Pirates have covered the spread in 6 of their last 8 road games.
• Cardinals are 1-5 against the spread in their last 6 games.

Recent Games

Pittsburgh Pirates Recent Games

St. Louis Cardinals Recent Games

Team Rankings

Significant Betting Stats

• Pittsburgh Pirates are 76-75 against the spread this season.
• St. Louis Cardinals are 71-80 against the spread this season.
• Cardinals have lost 4 of their last 5 games.
• Gray has a 3.75 ERA compared to Woodford's 8.01.
• Pirates have a better record on the road (35-40) than Cardinals at home (38-40).
• Pirates rank 2nd in saves with 50.
• Cardinals have a poor offensive showing, ranking 24th in AVG (.235).
• Pirates are looking for their 5th win in 6 games.
• Woodford has given up 5 home runs in 30.1 innings.
• Gray has allowed 21 home runs in 160.2 innings but maintains a strong strikeout rate.

Weather

Weather during the game is expected to be mostly sunny with a temperature around 85°F.