Cardinals vs Pirates Prediction 9/22/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article we will formulate a Cardinals vs Pirates prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, September 22nd 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 76-80 this year after they lost two out of three against the Nationals by scores of 1-9, 5-8, and 5-3. In game three, St. Louis trailed 3-2 in the sixth inning, but they scored three runs in the eighth to get the win. The Cardinals recorded six hits in the game and they were led by Herrera, who went 2-4 with two home runs and two RBIs. Mathews allowed seven hits and three earned runs over 7.0 innings, while Gastelum got the win and O’Brien picked up the save. Prior to that series, St. Louis lost two out of three against the Giants, but did win two out of three against the White Sox before that. 

This season, St. Louis has a 4.29 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP and a .254 opponent batting average, while they have scored 704 runs with a .242 batting average and a .315 on base percentage. Jordan Walker has led the Cardinals with 28 home runs and 100 RBIs, while Alec Burleson has added 23 home runs and 111 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for St. Louis is Andre Pallante, who is 12-7 with a 3.70 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP over 151.0 innings pitched this year. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 79-77 this season after they swept the Royals in three games by scores of 8-5, 6-5, and 4-3. In game three, Pittsburgh trailed 3-2 in the seventh, but they scored two runs in the eighth to get the win. The Pirates recorded eight hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Flores Jr, who went 2-3 with one home run and two RBIs. Bachar allowed one earned run as the opener, while Mlodzinski got the win and Montgomery picked up the save. Prior to that series, Pittsburgh lost two out of three against the Brewers and two out of three against the Cubs. 

This season, Pittsburgh has a 4.19 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and a .238 opponent batting average, while they have scored 748 runs with a .254 batting average and a .332 on base percentage. Brandon Lowe has led the Pirates with 33 home runs and 93 RBIs, while Ryan O’Hearn has added 18 home runs and 73 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is Jared Jones, who is 4-6 with a 4.17 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over 90.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Pirates have won each of their last four home games.
• The Cardinals have lost six of their last seven road games against NL opponents following a win.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight night games against NL opponents.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in four of their last five games against NL opponents.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games as favorites against NL opponents.
• The Pirates have led after 5 innings in three of their last four games as favorites against NL opponents.

Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win

• The underdogs have won each of the last five games between the Cardinals and Pirates at PNC Park.
• The Pirates have lost each of their last three games as home favorites against NL opponents following a home win.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in 15 of the last 16 games between the Cardinals and Pirates at PNC Park.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games against NL opponents following a win.
• The Pirates have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three night games against NL Central opponents.
• The Pirates have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last five night games against NL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Cardinals’ last four night games as underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Five of the Pirates’ last six games as favorites against the Cardinals have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Pirates’ last seven night games against NL Central opponents.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in seven of the Cardinals’ last eight road games against NL opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Jared Jones has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances.
• Henry Davis has hit a home run in each of his last two home appearances after not playing the previous day.
• Ronny Simon has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances against NL opponents.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Nathan Church has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cardinals’ last nine road games against NL opponents.
• Jordan Walker has hit a home run in each of the Cardinals’ last two road games against NL Central opponents.
• Andre Pallante has recorded a win in five of his last six road appearances against opponents that held a winning record.

Cardinals vs Pirates Prediction 

Pittsburgh rolls into this game playing very well over the last two weeks and they have won four in a row. The Pirates are 42-36 at home this year, while the Cardinals are 38-37 on the road. St. Louis has lost four of their last five games and they have allowed 6+ runs in all four of those losses. The Cardinals are starting Pallante, who has allowed 6, 1, 1, and 4 earned runs in his last four starts, while Jones has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four outings. Take the Pirates -1 here.

David Racey's Pick: Pirates -1