The Pittsburgh Pirates will take on their division rival St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The opening pitch is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. ET and the action will be televised on either ATPT or FSMW.
Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals Odds
Vegas has listed St. Louis (-145) as the favorite over Pittsburgh (+135). Gamblers can wager on the game’s total with odds posted at -120 for over 8.5 runs and even money (+100) for under 8.5. You can also bet on the game’s spread with the runline odds sitting at -160 for the Pirates +1.5 runs and +140 for the Cardinals -1.5.
The Cardinals are 31-25 SU and 27-28 ATS. The team’s lost 1.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 1.9 units against the spread (ATS). St. Louis has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Pirates are 30-28 SU and have gone 26-31 ATS. Overall, the team’s accumulated 0.3 units for moneyline bettors, but have lost 5.1 units ATS. Pittsburgh’s covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
St. Louis games have an over/under record of 21-30-4 so far in 2018. Pittsburgh has an over/under record of 28-23-6.
Right-hander Nick Kingham is getting the start for the visiting Pirates. Kingham is 2-1 with a 3.75 ERA and 25 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with nine strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA against St. Louis this year.
The Cardinals are putting the ball in the right hand of Michael Wacha (6-1, 2.71 ERA, 1.19 WHIP), who’s got 53 strikeouts and 25 walks. Wacha has yet to face the Pirates this year, but he made four starts against them in 2017, putting together a 2-1 record with a 3.04 ERA and 17 strikeouts.
Pittsburgh’s pitchers have allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.07 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 7.40 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.28, along with a K/9 of 9.50.
The Pirates offense has slashed .257/.328/.425 on its way to 4.7 runs scored per game this season, including 5.1 runs per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Pittsburgh’s hitters have been led by outfielders Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte, who have combined to belt 12 home runs. Dickerson is slashing .313/.347/.490 with five home runs, 32 RBIs and 26 runs scored, while Marte is hitting .296 with seven homers, 23 RBIs, 32 runs and 10 steals.
In the home-team dugout, St. Louis’ pitching staff has allowed 3.9 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have a 3.01 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.42 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 8.4 K/9. In 30 games against divisional opponents, Cardinals starters have an ERA of 3.06 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.29.
St. Louis’ hitters have put up 4.3 runs per contest, including 4.7 per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .250/.317/.402 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Cardinals’ batters have been led by first baseman Jose Martinez and left fielder Marcell Ozuna. Martinez is hitting .293/.364/.439 with five home runs, 31 RBIs and 21 runs scored, while Ozuna’s line is .271/.320/.360 with four homers, 24 RBIs and 21 runs.
The Pirates have gained 1.6 units and are 22-23 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 19 of those games, as opposed to 20 that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Cardinals have lost 3.9 units and are 19-23 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has hit in 15 of those games, compared to 23 that’ve gone under.
Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cardinals, ATS Winner – Pirates, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
Pittsburgh fielders have five errors over the last 10 games, compared to 10 errors for St. Louis over its last 10.
The Pirates have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.
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