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The St. Louis Cardinals (52-48) take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (51-49) Tuesday in the 2nd game 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 4-3
The Cards dropped Monday’s series opener 2-1 after a weak spot in their bullpen was exposed in the 8th inning. Three hits in the bottom of the 8th did them in, coupled with an inability to drive runs in. The lone run they got was 2B Nolan Gorman smoking one off the right field foul pole for his 19th of the season. The Cards are just 4-6 over their last 10 games.
The Pirates continue their surge, winners of 8 of 10 to pull within a game of St. Louis for 2nd in the division. OF Bryan Reynolds is hitting .349 with 2 homers and 7 RBIs over the last 15 days. The Bucs are feeling good about this one with stud RHP Paul Skenes on the mound.
Cardinals at Pirates projected starters
RHP Lance Lynn vs. RHP Paul Skenes
Lynn (5-4, 4.39 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.39 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 through 96 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 6 K in 11-3 home victory July 13 against Chicago Cubs
- June 13 vs. Pirates: No-decision, 4 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K in 4-3 home win
- Last 5 starts vs. Pirates: 1-3, 9.86 ERA, 1,95 WHIP, 15 K in 21 IP
Skenes (6-0, 1.90 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 0.92 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 12.1 K/9 through 66 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 11 K in 1-0 victory July 11 at Milwaukee Brewers
- June 11 vs. St. Louis: No-decision, 6 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 8 K in 2-1 road win
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 12:06 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cardinals +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Pirates -185 (bet $185 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals +1.5 (-140) | Pirates -1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Cardinals at Pirates picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 4, Pirates 3
Moneyline
If the Cards were to get to Skenes, the right time is now. He pitched an inning in the All-Star Game, but his last start was 12 days ago. What happens when power pitchers get too much rest? They have a tendency to leave it up in the zone. He has been fighting his control a little lately, too, with 2 walks in 2 of his last 3 starts.
Furthermore, the Pirates used their top 2 arms in the bullpen in Aroldis Chapman and David Bednar Monday, while the Cards used expendable arms. This is an important game, and if you’re going to give us +150, let’s take a shot. Take the CARDINALS +150.
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Run line/Against the spread
The Cards are priced within range in the instance they can’t get it done. They lost Skenes’ first start against them 2-1. And as mentioned, the Pirates’ pen aces would be going on back-to-back days.
Take the CARDINALS +1.5 (-140).
Over/Under
The Under is 5-2 in the 7 games these teams have faced off in this year. The Cards are 6-4 O/U in their last 10, and the Pirates are 4-6. The big question is whether Lynn can keep the ball in the yard. The wind is blowing right-to-left at 5 mph, and it doesn’t appear to be a big factor.
LEAN UNDER 7.5 (-105).
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