The Pittsburgh Pirates (7-5) open a 4-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals (5-7) on Thursday at Busch Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Pirates vs. Cardinals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting of 2023. The Cardinals went 13-6 against the Pirates in 2022.
The Pirates lost 7-0 to the Houston Astros Wednesday, going 1-2 in the 3-game home series. Pittsburgh has alternated wins and losses in its last 6 games.
The Cardinals secured a 7-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday to give them 2 consecutive wins and pull off a 2-1 series victory. 2B Nolan Gorman has hit a tie-breaking HR for a 2nd-straight game.
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Pirates at Cardinals projected starters
RHP Vince Velasquez vs. LHP Jordan Montgomery
Velasquez (0-2, 9.82 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 2.18 WHIP, 6.1 BB/9 and 4.9 K/9 through 7 1/3 IP.
- His teams have lost his last 6 appearances dating back to last season
- Allowed 5 ER on 6 H and 4 BB with 1 K in 2 2/3 IP in last start vs. the Chicago White Sox on Apr. 8
Montgomery (2-0, 2.25 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 1.00 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 9.0 K/9 through 12 IP.
- Has been credited with the win in 3 straight starts dating back to last season
- Surrendered 0 ER on 3 H and 2 BB with 9 K in 7 IP in last start vs. the Milwaukee Brewers on Apr. 8
Pirates at Cardinals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:55 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pirates +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Cardinals -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates +1.5 (+105) | Cardinals -1.5 (-125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Pirates at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 7, Pirates 3
Moneyline
AVOID.
Betting on the Cardinals (-250) to win straight up isn’t advised despite their clear pitching advantage in this matchup.
Run line/Against the spread
BET CARDINALS -1.5 (-125).
The Cardinals will have arguably their best pitcher on the mound in Montgomery and Velasquez has struggled to begin the season for the Pirates. Even when Velasquez exits the game, St. Louis should also have success against Pittsburgh’s bullpen.
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Over/Under
OVER 8.5 (-110) is the play in this NL Central showdown. The Cardinals are swinging a hot bat and they have a few guys who have had plenty of success in their careers against Velasquez.
The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings between these teams in St. Louis and 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings overall. The Pirates are also 8-1-1 to the Over in their last 10 games against a southpaw.
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