You wouldn’t guess it, but this is a matchup of two of the hottest teams in baseball. This NL Central showdown between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates promises excitement.
The Cardinals are 10-5 in their last 15 games and surging in the National League Central. Behind some hot pitching and the bat of Brendan Donovan, they’re finding a way to win game after game. The defense has been strong, and these feel like the Cardinals we remember from the 2010s.
Pittsburgh got off to a rough start this season, going 12-26 before firing manager Derek Shelton. They’ve been playing above .500 ball in the 49 games since. That includes a five-game winning streak, where they crushed the Mets three times in a row and have beaten these Cardinals twice. It breathes some hope into a Pirates franchise that has been starved for positivity in recent years.
The Cardinals are -142 favorites on the road for this contest. The over/under is set at 8 on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Cardinals at Pirates prediction, preview
It’s always difficult picking between two teams that are playing great baseball. Especially when the team riding the winning streak comes up against a hot ace.
Cardinals starter Sonny Gray has allowed only one run over 14 innings across his last two starts. He’s pitched well all year, and on paper, should do well against this lackluster Pirates offense. But the bats aren’t looking quiet if you’ve watched the last few Buccos games. Including Tuesday’s 1-0 win, the Pirates have scored 38 runs across their five-game winning streak.
It helps Pittsburgh’s case that they have a starter throwing well. Mitch Keller has gone 5+ innings with three runs allowed or fewer in four straight starts. It’s not elite stuff, but it’s the kind of consistency you can depend on. If the Pittsburgh bats can stay hot, that kind of performance from Keller has them right in this game.
Ultimately, this game is more of a toss-up than the lines would indicate. My brain says Cardinals, but my gut wants to go with the Pirates. Always follow your gut.
Cardinals at Pirates pick, best bet
Pittsburgh Pirates Moneyline +117
Why not follow the hot team? Tuesday showed that the Pirates can win in a variety of ways. Not only are the bats going, but the bullpen has been extremely impressive over the winning streak. Pittsburgh’s relievers have allowed just one run across 23 innings as the Buccos rack up the wins.
Sonny Gray will prove a tough test. But, if Keller keeps the damage in check before handing off to a hot pen, they have a great chance. I’m picking the winning streak to continue and the Jolly Roger to fly.
