Pirates vs Cardinals Prediction - MLB Picks 9/3/23

St. Louis Cardinals (58-78) vs Pittsburgh Pirates (63-73)

Game Info: Sunday, September 3, 2023 at 2:15 pm (Busch Stadium)

Zack Thompson (3-4) (3.92) vs Johan Oviedo (8-13) (4.20)

Betting Odds: St. Louis Cardinals +107 / Pittsburgh Pirates -117 --- Over/Under: 9.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates will conclude their divisional series this Sunday from Busch Stadium. Pittsburgh stole game two late with a one-run victory, 7-6.

Pirates Preview & Projected Starter

Pittsburgh comes in at 63-73 after defeating St. Louis. The Pirates used timely hitting again to take another contest from the Cards, and they’ll look to leave Mizzou with six straight victories Sunday. The Pittsburgh offense is scoring 4.11 runs per game, while batting .235, with a .320 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.50 ERA, with a 1.38 WHIP.

Johan Oviedo (8-13, 4.20 ERA, 134 Ks) will get the ball for Pittsburgh. The fourth-year righty returned from the break and tossed a gem against San Francisco, tying a season-high ten strikeouts in seven full innings pitched, but he somehow wasn’t rewarded with a winning decision. That’s been a sad, recurring theme for Oviedo this season, who’s either been dealt a loss or no decision despite pitching well multiple times this season. Oviedo’s last trip to the LA area didn’t go particularly well, as he gave up five runs in 6.2 innings to the Dodgers in his start to close the first half, and he’ll seek better results here.

Pirates Player Trends & Props

Bryan Reynolds has totaled multiple bases in seven of the previous ten games, and he’s first on the team in hits (125), with splits of .265/19/65.

Ke’Bryan Hayes has produced a run in four straight games, and he’s batting .268, with 52 RBI for the season.

Andrew McCutchen plated a run in the game one victory, and he’s posting a line of .247/12/40.

Jack Suwinski snapped a long homeless streak by going yard in the game three win, and he leads the club in home runs (22), with 56 RBI.

Cardinals Preview & Projected Starter

St. Louis moved to 58-78 after losing to Pittsburgh. The Cardinals suffered another heartbreaking defeat last night, and they’ll attempt to avoid being swept again here. The St. Louis offense is scoring 3.97 runs per game, while batting .258, with a .328 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.64 ERA, with a 1.49 WHIP.

Zach Thompson (3-5, 3.92 ERA, 47 Ks) will start for St. Louis. The second-year reliever has been so-so in a bullpen/spot starter role this season, as he’s allowed two runs or more in four of his last eight spots.

Cardinals Player Trends & Props

Nolan Arenado snapped a four-game hitless streak in the series finale, and he’s St. Louis’ leader in home runs (26) and RBI (87).

Paul Goldschmidt has recorded a hit in seven of the last ten games, and he leads the Cards in hits (141), with splits of .278/22/69.

Wilson Contreras homered twice in the game two victory over SD, and he’s posting a line of .253/15/54.

Nolan Gorman produced a run in Wednesday’s win, and he’s second on the team in homers (24), with 68 RBI.

Corey’s Free Pick

Honestly, I’d rather take the ride to see if Pittsburgh wins all six games in Missouri, then hope for a response from a fallen St. Louis. Back-to-back sweeps in the same state would be cool to see, on a weekend where sports have truly dominated. Johan Oviedo held them to one run last time out, and another solid outing from him could lead to another Bucs victory. Back the Pirates to bring the brooms out here Sunday, with the Over in play for the third straight game.