Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals Prediction & Betting Tips for 9/24/2026

The MLB regular season continues with an afternoon showdown between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA. The Cardinals come into the game with a 77-81 record, sitting fourth in the NL Central, and are coming off a win against the Pirates. Meanwhile, the Pirates hold a slightly better record at 80-78, placing them third in the same division after a recent loss to the Cardinals.

The Cardinals, managed by Oliver Marmol, have shown resilience on the road with a nearly even 39-38 away record. Their recent victory featured strong pitching from Matthew Liberatore, who effectively shut down the Pirates' offense. On the other hand, the Pirates, led by manager Don Kelly, have performed well at home this season with a 43-37 record, aiming to capitalize on their home-field advantage.

Weather conditions for the game are expected to be clear with a light breeze, which should create a pleasant atmosphere for this divisional contest. The Cardinals will look to build on their recent success, while the Pirates aim to rebound and solidify their standing in the division. With both teams having split their last two encounters, this game is set to add another chapter to their ongoing rivalry.

Pirates vs Cardinals At a Glance

• Game Location: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
• Weather Outlook: Clear sky with a cool day and light breeze
• Game Odds: Cardinals +136, Pirates -161
• Cardinals Record: 77-81, ranked 4th in NL Central
• Pirates Record: 80-78, ranked 3rd in NL Central
• Broadcast Channel: SN PT

Charting the Pirates' Course: A Preview of Their Upcoming Game

Cardinals Team Overview

The St. Louis Cardinals are set to travel for an away game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. With a season record displaying competitive performances, the Cardinals bring a balanced attack to the field.

The Cardinals' batting lineup has shown consistency, backed by a .254 batting average that ranks third in the league. Their ability to get on base is demonstrated by their .330 on-base percentage, also ranked third.

Key Players to Watch

On the mound, Kyle Leahy stands as the probable starter for the Cardinals. With a record of 10-5 and an ERA of 3.65, Leahy has been a reliable presence in their rotation this season.

Offensively, the Cardinals have strength in their lineup, with multiple players capable of changing the game's trajectory. Their lineup's power, with 182 home runs, is a threat to any pitching staff.

Cardinals' Pitching and Defense

St. Louis pitchers have held opponents to a .237 batting average, indicating their capacity to control games defensively. However, they have given up 150 home runs, which ranks highest in the league, pointing to potential vulnerabilities.

The Cardinals' bullpen has had some challenges, with 25 blown saves this season, ranking them tenth. Their strikeout ability is a strong point, with a total of 1,453 strikeouts, ranking fifth in the league.

Betting Trends

• SU Last 3 Games: 2-1 (66.7%)
• SU Last 5 Games: 4-1 (80.0%)
• SU Last 10 Games: 6-4 (60.0%)
• SU All Games: 80-78 (50.6%)
• SU as Favorite: 46-34 (57.5%)
• SU as Underdog: 34-44 (43.6%)
• SU in Night Games: 39-53 (42.4%)
• SU in Day Games: 41-25 (62.1%)
• SU in Home Games: 43-37 (53.8%)
• SU in Away Games: 37-41 (47.4%)
• SU vs Division Opponents: 38-28 (57.6%)
• SU vs League Opponents: 24-38 (38.7%)
• SU in 1-Run Games: 27-19 (58.7%)
• SU After a Win: 37-43 (46.2%)
• SU After a Loss: 43-34 (55.8%)

Cardinals Look to Continue Winning Ways Against Pirates

Pirates Team Overview

The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a challenging season with a record that reflects their struggles on both sides of the field. Their team batting average ranks 14th in the league at .241, while their pitching has an ERA of 4.27, placing them 21st. Despite these numbers, the Pirates have managed to maintain a competitive edge in some games.

As they prepare to take on the Cardinals, the Pirates will be relying on their ability to strike out opponents, ranking 7th with 1258 strikeouts. This strength could prove vital against a Cardinals team that has had its ups and downs this season. However, their pitching staff has given up 156 home runs, which is the 4th highest in the league.

Pirates Key Players

One of the key figures for the Pirates is starting pitcher Paul Skenes, who holds a 10-11 record with a 3.91 ERA and 192 strikeouts this season. His ability to control games from the mound will be crucial in limiting the Cardinals' offensive production. Skenes will be looking to capitalize on the Cardinals' recent offensive inconsistencies.

On the offensive side, the Pirates have struggled to hit home runs, ranking 24th with 161 home runs. Their focus will likely be on manufacturing runs through small ball tactics and taking advantage of Cardinals' pitching missteps. This strategy can be effective given their moderate success in drawing walks, with 502 on the season, ranking them 20th.

Challenges and Opportunities

The Pirates' main challenge lies in their inability to consistently produce extra-base hits, which has been evident in their ranking of 23rd for doubles. Without significant power hitters, they must focus on getting runners on base and moving them effectively. This will require discipline at the plate and timely hitting from their lineup.

Opportunities for the Pirates could arise from the Cardinals' pitching rotation, which has had mixed results recently. If the Pirates can put pressure on the Cardinals' starters early, it may open up scoring opportunities later in the game. Maintaining focus and playing sound defense will be essential for them to keep the game within reach.

Betting Trends for the Pirates

• SU as Underdog: 51-57 (47.2%)
• Runline as Underdog: 67-41 (62.0%)
• Runline in Away Games: 43-34 (55.8%)
• Runline vs Division: 37-29 (56.1%)
• O/U in Away Games: 36-41 (46.8%)

Pirates vs Cardinals Prediction: Pirates -161

The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this game with a solid home record of 43-37, showcasing their strength at PNC Park. With Paul Skenes on the mound, whose 1.13 WHIP and 192 strikeouts indicate his ability to control the game, the Pirates have the upper hand in pitching. Their recent form of 6-4 in the last 10 games adds to their confidence, setting them up well for a win.

The St. Louis Cardinals have been inconsistent, reflected in their 4-6 performance over the past 10 games. Despite Kyle Leahy's respectable 3.65 ERA, the Cardinals' road performance of 39-38 doesn't inspire much confidence against a strong Pirates lineup. Considering the Pirates' recent head-to-head success, winning 4 of the last 5 meetings, they have the edge in this matchup.

The Pirates' offensive stats also favor them, ranking 3rd in batting average and on-base percentage this season. This offensive capability, combined with their strong day game performance (41-25), makes them a formidable opponent for the Cardinals. Expect the Pirates' bats to capitalize on their home field advantage.

Given these factors, the Pirates are the favored pick on the moneyline at -161. With their superior stats and recent form, they are expected to secure a victory in a low-scoring game, projecting a final score of Pirates 4 - Cardinals 2.

• Pirates vs Cardinals Prediction: Pirates -161
• Pirates vs Cardinals Score: Pirates 4 - Cardinals 2

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