Cardinals vs Pirates Prediction 4/27/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Cardinals vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Monday, April 27th 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 14-13 this season after they lost all three against the Mariners by scores of 2-3, 9-11, and 2-3. In game three, St. Louis led 2-1 in the sixth inning, but they allowed a run in the seventh and the ninth for the loss. The Cardinals recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Church and Wetherholt, who both had one RBI. McGreevy allowed five hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings, while Svanson blew the save and Romero picked up the loss. Prior to that series, St. Louis lost two out of three against the Marlins, but did sweep the Astros before that. 

This season, St. Louis has a 4.87 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP and a .261 opponent batting average, while they have scored 125 runs with a .235 batting average and a .324 on base percentage. Jordan Walker has led the Cardinals with eight home runs and 16 RBIs, while Alec Burleson has added three home runs and 17 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for St. Louis is Dustin May, who is 3-2 with a 5.84 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP over 24.2 innings pitched this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 16-12 this year after they won two out of three against the Brewers by scores of 6-0, 6-3, and 0-5. In game three, Pittsburgh allowed all five runs in the fourth inning and never recovered in the shutout loss. The Pirates recorded two hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Gonzales, who went 1-3 with one walk. Mlodzinski allowed five hits and four earned runs over 3.2 innings for the loss, while Sanders threw two scoreless innings in relief. Prior to that series, Pittsburgh lost two out of three against the Rangers, but did win two out of three against the Rays before that. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 3.34 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and a .219 opponent batting average, while they have scored 135 runs with a .241 batting average and a .325 on base percentage. Oneil Cruz has led the Pirates with eight home runs and 24 RBIs, while Brandon Lowe has added seven home runs and 19 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Mason Montgomery, who is 1-0 with a 3.97 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP over 11.1 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Pirates have won each of their last nine night games following a loss.
• The Cardinals have lost eight of their last nine road games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last 10 night games following a loss.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line each of their last three road games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Cardinals have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four games at PNC Park against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in four of their last five night games against opponents that held a winning record.

Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win

• The Pirates have lost each of their last eight home games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cardinals have won each of their last four games as underdogs against NL Central opponents following a home loss.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line each of their last seven home games against NL Central opponents that held a winning record.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in 11 of the last 12 games between the Cardinals and Pirates at PNC Park.
• The Cardinals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five night games against NL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Cardinals’ last four games against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Six of the Pirates’ last seven games as favorites against the Cardinals have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Pirates’ last nine night games against NL Central opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Cardinals’ last nine night games at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Marcell Ozuna has hit at least one home run in three of his last four home appearances against former teams.
• Marcell Ozuna has recorded at least one hit in each of the Pirates’ last six home games.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Nolan Gorman has hit a home run in three of his last four Monday appearances against NL teams that held a winning record.
• Dustin May has recorded five strikeouts in three of his last four appearances against NL opponents.
• Masyn Winn has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cardinals’ last seven night games.
• Dustin May ranks T10th in the league for Wins (3) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pirates rank 3rd in the league for opponent batting average this season (.219).
• The Pirates rank 4th in the league for ERA this season (3.34).
• The Cardinals rank 27th in the league for ERA this season (4.87).
• The Cardinals rank 26th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.261).

Cardinals vs Pirates Prediction 

St. Louis comes into this matchup on a four game losing streak and they have scored two runs or fewer in three of those four losses. The Cardinals are 7-5 on the road this year, while the Pirates are 8-5 at home. Pittsburgh is coming off of a great series with the Brewers and they are starting Montgomery, who will work as an opener, before Wilber Dotel is set to pitch. St. Louis is going with May, who has allowed one earned run in each of his last three outings. I don’t fully trust May, but he has shown a ton of improvement, so give me the Cardinals and the plus money here.

David Racey's Pick: Cardinals ML