The Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals lift the lid on the new season when they meet Thursday at Busch Stadium for a 4:15 p.m. ET first pitch. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Pirates vs. Cardinals odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: The Cardinals won last year’s season series 12-7.
The Pirates got off to a solid start last season with a 12-13 run in April. But they finished with 101 losses (61-101) and finished last in the NL Central.
The Cardinals played .639 ball (46-26) after the All-Star break last season. They took second place in the NL Central and earned an NL Wild Card berth.
Pirates at Cardinals: Projected starters
RHP JT Brubaker vs. RHP Adam Wainwright
Brubaker (2021: 5-13, 5.36 ERA) gets the ball for the opener. He logged a 1.30 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9, and 9.3 K/9 through 124 1/3 IP last season.
- Current St. Louis bats own a 1.063 OPS against him.
- Has logged a 6.01 ERA while allowing an .847 OPS across 18 career road games.
Wainwright (2021: 17-7, 3.05 ERA) counters for the Cards. He clocked a 1.06 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9, and 7.6 K/9 across 206 1/3 IP last season.
- Logged a 30-inning 0.30 ERA against the Pirates in 2021. Has held current Pittsburgh batters to a whiff-heavy .289 OPS in his career.
- Owns a career 2.85 ERA at home.
Pirates at Cardinals odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Pirates +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Cardinals -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pirates +1.5 (-140) | Cardinals -1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!
Pirates at Cardinals prediction and picks
Prediction
Cardinals 5, Pirates 4
Money line
Peg the Cardinals as being a tad overvalued by their 2021 performance and the assessment of the Pirates as swinging the other way. That amounts to underlying production numbers not fully backing the St. Louis win percentage and the same numbers giving Pittsburgh a small benefit of the doubt.
However, that leverage is not much at all. The same principle, however, does apply to these starting pitchers where xFIP and SIERA numbers for Brubaker were not as weighty last season, and where Wainwright’s show his 3.05 ERA to have some mirage comparisons.
All that said, a +175 would be the minimum to consider for the Pittsburgh side: PASS.
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW22 for $15 OFF a Draft Prep or full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 4/30/2022. Subscribe today and start winning!
Run line/Against the spread
Bullpens and depth will loom large all month. Starters aren’t built up and the season swings into gear with rosters at 28 men. Advantage St. Louis in this one, but PIRATES +1.5 (-140) is the play with the best leverage overall.
Over/Under
Both clubs sported above-average offensive numbers in spring training. A chilly-but-strong-wind-out-to-right-center day is in the forecast. BACK THE OVER 7.5 (-130).
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]