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The St. Louis Cardinals (43-40) take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (40-43) Tuesday in the opener of a 3-game set at PNC Park at 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cardinals vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cardinals lead 2-1
The Cards split with the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend with a 2-0 victory Sunday. SS Masyn Winn was the catalyst atop the order, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. He is quietly having a great rookie year, hitting .286 and playing great defense. He’s a +4000 to win NL Rookie of the Year at BetMGM Sportsbook. The Cards are 7-3 over the last 10.
The Bucs staved off a sweep, taking Sunday’s tilt 4-2 against the Atlanta Braves. SS Oneil Cruz went 2-for-3 with his 12th homer of the season. They are .500 in each split over the last month at 5-5, 10-10 and 15-15 over the last 10, 20 and 30 days.
Cardinals at Pirates projected starters
RHP Kyle Gibson vs. RHP Mitch Keller
Gibson (5-3, 3.70 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 through 87 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 5 BB, 4 K in 6-2 home defeat Wednesday against Atlanta Braves
- 4 career starts vs. Pirates: 2-1, 3.65 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 25 K in 24 2/3 IP
Keller (9-4, 3.20 ERA) makes his 17th start. He has a 1.22 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 8.3 K/9 through 98 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER (4 R), 6 H, 3 BB, 6 K in 9-5 victory June 25 at Cincinnati Reds
- Last 5 starts vs. St. Louis: 0-1, 3.00 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 26 K in 30 IP
- June 13 vs. St. Louis: Loss, 6 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 4-3 road setback
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Cardinals at Pirates odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:55 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cardinals +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Pirates -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals +1.5 (-190) | Pirates -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Cardinals at Pirates picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 4, Pirates 2
Moneyline
Gibson was erratic in his last start, but it came after missing a turn due to a stiff back. He’ll shore that up in this one. The Pirates are operating without closer David Bednar (oblique) and have the 4th-worst bullpen ERA at 4.61. If the Pirates get a lead to de facto closer Aroldis Chapman, though, he owns the Cards. In 41 games, he’s 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA, 57 K’s in 38 2/3 IP and 18 saves. The Cards have scored 2+ off Keller in 3 of his last 4 starts against them, and if they can get a lead and avoid Chapman, they should roll.
Take the CARDINALS +105.
Run line/Against the spread
I’m going with KYLE GIBSON OVER 4.5 K’s (-125) here. He has 6+ K’s in 4 of 5 starts and 5+ in each of his 4 career starts vs. Pittsburgh. The Pirates are the 4th-easiest team to K in baseball.
Over/Under
The Cards are 6-4 O/U over their last 10, and Pittsburgh is 3-7. The Over has cashed just 4 of the last 10 meetings between the teams. The Under has cashed in 3 straight matchups. That’s where I’m going — take the UNDER 8 (-110).
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