The Pittsburgh Pirates (42-79) will look to put an end to a five-game losing skid when they take on the St. Louis Cardinals (62-58) Friday night. The two teams will open their weekend series at 8:15 p.m. ET at Busch Stadium. Let’s analyze the lines around the Pirates vs. Cardinals odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Pirates RHP Mitch Keller (3-10, 6.86 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.85 WHIP, 5.0 BB/9 and 8.8 K/9 through 61 2/3 IP.
- Allowed 10 ER across 14 1/3 IP over three starts since being recalled from Triple-A, while recording a 2.02 WHIP and 5.7 K/9.
- Has posted a 5.32 ERA with a 9.1 K/9 and 1.9 HR/9 through 23 2/3 IP spanning five road starts in MLB this season.
Cardinals RHP Miles Mikolas (0-0, 2.25 ERA) makes his second start of the season. He made one start in May and allowed 1 ER over 4 IP while whiffing 3 batters.
- A flexor tendon injury cost Mikolas the 2020 season, and the forearm issue cropped up again following his season debut. He landed on the 60-day injured list, and in five rehab appearances over the past month he has a 4.07 ERA and 6.3 K/9 across 24 1/3 IP.
- Mikolas recorded an excellent 2.83 ERA across 32 starts in 2018, but took a step back with a 4.16 mark in 32 starts the following season.
Pirates at Cardinals odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Pirates +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Cardinals -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Pirates +1.5 (-115) | Cardinals -1.5 (-107)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Prediction
Cardinals 6, Pirates 4
Money line (ML)
The Pirates come into Friday having lost 13 of their last 14 games, and their 18-44 road record is fourth-worst in the majors. They lost each of Keller’s last four starts by a combined score of 38-10, and his 6.86 ERA is third-worst among all pitchers with 60 or more innings.
The Cardinals won seven of their last nine games as they try to get back into the NL wild-card hunt but it’s difficult to project what they will get from Mikolas following such a long layoff.
The price is a little too steep here so PASS.
FANTASY BASEBALL: Serious about winning your league? Sign up for BaseballHQ.com to dominate the competition. Subscribe now!
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The Pirates are 5-10 when Keller takes the mound, and nine of those 10 losses were by at least 3 runs. The Cardinals have been playing much better than the Pirates, and recently swept them in a three-game series in Pittsburgh.
While Mikolas is a true wild card, he has a better chance of success than his counterpart, who has struggled throughout the season.
Look for the CARDINALS -1.5 (-107) to take care of business and win by multiple runs.
Over/Under (O/U)
The Cardinals scored 6 or more runs in five of their last seven games and are facing a pitcher in Keller who has been getting knocked around all year.
The St. Louis offense should have another good day, while the Pirates aren’t likely to get shut down by Mikolas in his first start in three months.
OVER 8.5 (-120) is the most appealing play on the board in this game.
For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @RuddHQ on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]