Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals Prediction 8/29/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

The Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals meet Saturday in MLB action from Busch Stadium. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals prediction.

Starting Pitching Matchup

The Pittsburgh Pirates will send out Lake Bachar for the start here and Bachar is 1-3 with a 3.70 ERA and 75 strikeouts this season. Kyle Leahy will start for the Cardinals and is 10-4 with a 3.13 ERA and 115 strikeouts this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates Recap

The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this game looking to rebound from a 4-1 loss at the hands of the Cardinals last time out to sit at 65-71 this season. After this series, the Pirates will head home for a series against the San Francisco Giants.

Pirates Drop 5 Of Last 7

Entering Friday, Oneil Cruz has 71 hits including 10 doubles, 17 home runs and 52 RBIs while Ryan O’Hearn has 97 hits with 15 doubles, 17 home runs and 69 RBIs this season. Nick Gonzales has 145 hits with 22 doubles and 56 RBIs while Brandon Lowe has 123 hits with 26 doubles, 27 home runs and 80 RBIs and Bryan Reynolds has 131 hits with 32 doubles, 2 triples, 15 home runs and 66 RBIs as well this season.

St. Louis Cardinals Recap

The St. Louis Cardinals come into this game looking to add on to their win over Pittsburgh from Friday to improve to 68-68 on the year. After this series, the Cardinals will head on the road for a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cardinals Win Back-To-Back Games

Going into Friday, Jordan Walker has 146 hits, 29 doubles, 27 home runs and 97 RBIs while Alec Burleson has 149 hits with 33 doubles, 21 home runs and 99 RBIs. JJ Wetherholt has 122 hits with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs while Ivan Herrera has 123 hits with 23 doubles, 14 home runs and 53 RBIs. Masyn Winn’s added 103 hits with 19 doubles and 51 RBIs and Nathan Church has 83 hits with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates @ St. Louis Cardinals Betting Trends: August 29, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Kyle Leahy      Record this season: 10-4      ERA: 3.13
• Home Record: 5-3
• Last 5 against Pirates: 2-0

Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win

• The Cardinals have won eight of their last nine day games after playing the previous day.
• The Pirates have lost seven of their last eight day games against NL opponents.
• The Cardinals have covered the run line in each of their last seven home games after playing the previous day.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games against NL Central opponents.
• The Cardinals have led after 3 innings in each of their last six home day games.
• The Cardinals have won the first inning in each of their last five day games against NL opponents.
• The Cardinals have led after 5 innings in each of their last eight games against NL Central opponents.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Lake Bachar      Record this season: 1-3      ERA: 3.70
• Road Record: 1-2
• Last 5 against Cardinals: 0-1

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

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

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Pirates’ last seven games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Eight of the Cardinals’ last nine games have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of Kyle Leahy’s last six home appearances as a starter.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Pirates’ last four games.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Kyle Leahy has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances.
• Jordan Walker has hit a home run in two of the Cardinals’ last three games against NL Central opponents.
• Kyle Leahy has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances with the Cardinals as favorites against NL opponents.
• Jordan Walker has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cardinals’ last nine games as favorites against NL opponents.
• Jordan Walker ranks T6th in the league in Hits (149) this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Brandon Lowe has hit a home run in two of his last three road appearances against the Cardinals after playing the previous day.
• Brandon Lowe has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances against the Cardinals after playing the previous day.
• Nick Gonzales ranks 5th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.305) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Cardinals rank 26th in the league for doubles this season (192).
• The Cardinals rank 26th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.383).
• The Pirates rank 1st in the league for hits this season (1178).
• The Pirates rank 30th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1289).

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals Prediction

I’m on the Cardinals in this one. Kyle Leahy’s quietly been sneaky good for this Cardinals rotation this season and I’m just flat out done with Pittsburgh at this point. St. Louis is just looking like the more consistent team while the Pirates have scored 1 run or less in 4 of their last 5 games. I think the Cards take care of business here as well so give me St. Louis.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: St. Louis -125