In this article we will formulate a Cardinals vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Wednesday, July 2nd 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 47-40 this year after they lost the first two games in this series by scores of 0-7 and 0-1. In their game two loss, St. Louis had plenty of runners on base, but they were thrown out at home in the ninth inning in the shutout loss. The Cardinals recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Fermin and Donovan, who both had one hit and one walk in the loss. St. Louis started Pallante, who allowed one hit and zero earned runs over 7.0 innings, while Maton picked up the loss. 

Prior to this series, the Cardinals swept the Guardians in three games and they split four games with the Cubs. St. Louis has won three of their last five games and they are currently third in the NL Central standings. The St. Louis pitching staff has a 3.92 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and a .249 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 403 runs with a .253 batting average and a .324 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 Sonny Gray, who is 8-2 with a 3.36 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP over 93.2 innings pitched this year. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 37-50 this season after they won game two by a score of 1-0 on Tuesday night. Pittsburgh didn’t generate much offense, but they scored the only run in the game in the eighth inning for the win. The Pirates recorded four hits in the game and they were led by Davis, who had one RBI in the win. Pittsburgh started Skenes, who allowed five hits and zero earned runs over 5.0 innings, while Mattson picked up the win and Bednar got the save. 

Prior to this series, the Pirates swept the Mets in three games, but lost two out of three against the Brewers before that. Pittsburgh has won five games in a row and they are currently last in the NL Central standings. The Pittsburgh pitching staff has a 3.69 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and a .232 opponent batting average, while their offense has scored 305 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 Mitch Keller, who is 2-10 with a 3.90 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP over 99.1 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Cardinals will beat the Pirates
The Cardinals have won six of their last seven day games against NL Central opponents following a road loss.
The Pirates have lost eight of their last 10 day games against the Cardinals following a win.
The Cardinals have covered the run line in each of their last seven road games against National League opponents following a road loss.
The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in three of their last four games against NL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts
Twenty-one of the Pirates’ last 24 day games against NL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Each of the Cardinals’ last four games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
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.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 20 of the Cardinals’ last 23 games as favorites against NL Central opponents.

Cardinals vs Pirates Prediction 
Pittsburgh comes into this contest looking for their sixth straight win and they have allowed just four runs in their last five games. The Pirates are 25-21 at home this year, while the Cardinals are 21-23 on the road. St. Louis has yet to score a run in this series and they are going up against Keller, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three straight starts. Pittsburgh has scored at least seven runs in four of their last five games and they are facing Gray, who has allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his last five outings. This St. Louis offense has been brutal, but I will take them to get the win with Gray on the mound. 

David Racey's Pick: Cardinals ML