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The Pittsburgh Pirates (71-80) take on the St. Louis Cardinals (76-75) Wednesday in the 3rd game of a 4-game set at Busch Stadium at 7:45 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Pirates vs. Cardinals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cardinals lead 7-4
The Pirates have dropped 4 of 5 after a 3-1 final Tuesday. They have scored just 9 runs in those 5 games and have been dropped 4-0 and 3-1 in the first 2 games in the Lou. OF Bryan De La Cruz gave the Pirates an early lead with his 20th homer of the year, but they couldn’t manufacture anything else.
RHP Lance Lynn was great in what could be his final start at Busch Stadium wearing the birds on the bat. He allowed 1 run and struck out 5 over 6 IP. OF Jordan Walker turned on a fastball left up and put it in the opposing bullpen for his 4th homer of the year.
Pirates at Cardinals projected starters
RHP Jake Woodford vs. RHP Sonny Gray
Woodford (0-6, 8.01 ERA) makes his 7th start (9th appearance). He has a 1.62 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 6.2 K/9 through 30 1/3 innings between the Chicago White Sox and Pirates.
- Last start: Loss, 3 1/3 IP, 7 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 3 K in 10-2 home defeat Aug. 24 against Cincinnati Reds
- Has never faced Cardinals
- Career as a starter: 4-11, 5.79 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 5.6 K/9 in 24 GS
Gray (13-9, 3.75 ERA) makes his 28th start. He has a 1.07 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 10.9 K/9 through 160 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 9 K in 6-1 home victory Thursday against Reds
- June 12 vs. PIT: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 9 K in 4-2 home victory; 3-1, 3.30 ERA, 38 K’s in 30 IP last 5 GS vs. Pirates
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.
Pirates at Cardinals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of MLB odds. Lines last updated at 9:25 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pirates +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Cardinals -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates +1.5 (-125) | Cardinals -1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Pirates at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 5, Pirates 4
Moneyline
We cashed both of our bets here yesterday, including a +150 Cardinals RL. Woodford will be amped to pitch against his former club, but unfortunately for him, he has been throwing batting practice this year. The Cards are priced out of range, but take SONNY GRAY OVER 6.5 STRIKEOUTS (-125). He has 7+ K’s in 3 of 4 GS and whiffed 9 Buccos earlier this year.
Run line/Against the spread
I like Pittsburgh to remain competitive in this one. The Cards used closer Ryan Helsley Tuesday night, and he threw 16 pitches. He might be iffy Wednesday.
Take the PIRATES +1.5 (-125).
Over/Under
It’s slated to be 88 degrees with a 5-mph breeze blowing out to left-center. This matchup has rendered 6 straight Unders, but I feel the trend breaking Wednesday night. Woodford has been awful, and Gray has a tendency for a bad inning.
Take the OVER 8 (-105).
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