In this article we will formulate a Cardinals vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Monday, June 30th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
The St. Louis Cardinals are 47-38 this year after they swept Cleveland by scores of 5-0, 9-6, and 7-0. In their game three win, St. Louis jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and they added four runs late in the game to seal the win. The Cardinals recorded 11 hits in the game and they were led by Gorman, who went 1-3 with one home run and three RBIs in the win. St. Louis started Liberatore, who allowed three hits and zero earned runs over 6.0 innings for the win, while three pitchers combined to finish the shutout. 

Prior to that series, the Cardinals split four games with the Cubs and won two out of three against the Reds. St. Louis has won five of their last seven games and they are currently third in the NL Central standings. The St. Louis pitching staff has a 3.91 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and a .249 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 403 runs with a .255 batting average and a .325 on base percentage this season. Wilson Contreras has led St. Louis with 11 home runs, 51 RBIs, and four stolen bases, while Nolan Arenado has added 10 home runs and 41 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for St. Louis is Erick Fedde, who is 3-7 with a 4.11 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP over 87.2 innings pitched this year. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 35-50 this season after they swept the Mets in three games by scores of 9-1, 9-2, and 12-1. In their game three win, Pittsburgh jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the second inning and never looked back in the blowout win. The Pirates recorded 16 hits in the game and they were led by Cruz, who went 2-4 with two home runs and four RBIs in the win. Pittsburgh started Burrows, who allowed four hits and one earned run over 4.1 innings, while Mlodzinski picked up the win in relief. 

Prior to that series, the Pirates lost two out of three against the Brewers and two out of three against the Rangers. Pittsburgh has won five of their last seven games and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 3.78 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and a .233 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 297 runs with a .234 batting average and a .307 on base percentage this season. Oneil Cruz has led Pittsburgh with 15 home runs and 35 RBIs, while Bryan Reynolds has added 10 home runs and 45 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Andrew Heaney, who is 3-7 with a 4.48 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP over 86.1 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Pirates will beat the Cardinals
The Cardinals have lost nine of their last 10 games as road favorites against NL Central opponents.
The underdogs have won each of the Cardinals’ last five games at PNC Park.
The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 11 games as road favorites against NL Central opponents.
The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the last nine games between the Cardinals and Pirates at PNC Park.
The Cardinals have trailed after 5 innings in seven of their last nine road games against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
The Cardinals have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three games against National League opponents.

Why the Cardinals will beat the Pirates
The Cardinals have won each of their last six games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
The Pirates have lost seven of their last eight games against the Cardinals following a win.
The Cardinals have covered the run line each of their last six night games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in six of their last seven night games at PNC Park following a home win.
The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five games at PNC Park against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts
Seven of the Pirates’ last eight night games as underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
Four of the Cardinals’ last five games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Cardinals’ last nine games at PNC Park.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Pirates’ last nine games as home underdogs against National League opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts
Bryan Reynolds has hit a home run in two of the Pirates’ last three games as home underdogs.
Bryan Reynolds has recorded a Double in each of the Pirates’ last five games as underdogs.
Andrew Heaney has recorded four or more strikeouts in 14 of his last 17 home appearances.
Ke’Bryan Hayes has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine home appearances after playing the previous day.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts
Erick Fedde has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last four road appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
Alec Burleson has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances with the Cardinals as road favorites.
Alec Burleson has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances at PNC Park against opponents that held a losing record.

Matchup/League Facts
The Pirates rank 29th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.347).
The Pirates rank 28th in the league for RBIs this season (287).
The Cardinals rank 28th in the league for strikeouts this season (623).
The Cardinals rank T3rd in the league for home runs allowed this season (72).

Cardinals vs Pirates prediction 
Pittsburgh was able to sweep the Mets over the weekend and they will look to maintain that momentum, but St. Louis is also coming off of a series sweep. The Pirates are 23-21 at home this year, while the Cardinals are 21-21 on the road. St. Louis swept Cleveland on the road and they scored 21 runs in those three games. The Cardinals are starting Fedde, who has been pretty solid, but allowed seven earned runs last time out. The Pirates are going with Heaney, who has allowed 14 earned runs and 15 hits over his last two starts. Take the over here. 

David Racey's Pick: Over 8.5