St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction 4/28/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

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

Starting Pitching Matchup

The St. Louis Cardinals will send out Kyle Leahy for the start here and Leahy is 2-3 with a 5.63 ERA and 15 strikeouts this season. This will be Leahy’s first career start against the Pirates. The Pittsburgh Pirates did not have a starter announced at the time that this article was posted. 

St. Louis Cardinals Recap

The St. Louis Cardinals come into this game looking to build on their 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates last time out to sit at 15-13 this season. After this series, the Cardinals will head home for a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cardinals Snap Four-Game Losing Streak

Jordan Walker leads the Cardinals with 28 hits, 4 doubles, 8 home runs and 16 RBIs while Alec Burleson has 27 hits with 6 doubles, 3 home runs and 17 RBIs. JJ Wetherholt has 25 hits with 6 home runs and 14 RBIs while Ivan Herrera has 23 hits with 5 doubles, 4 home runs and 13 RBIs. Nolan Gorman has 20 hits with 3 home runs and 15 RBIs this season. Masyn Winn’s added 22 hits with 5 doubles and 12 RBIs and Nathan Church has 18 hits with 5 home runs and 13 RBIs this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Recap

The Pittsburgh Pirates come into this game looking to bounce back from their loss at the hands of the Cardinals in Monday’s opener to sit at 16-13 this season. After this series, the Pirates will take on the Cincinnati Reds at home.

Pirates Lose Back-To-Back Games

Oneil Cruz has 29 hits including 5 doubles, 8 home runs and 24 RBIs while Ryan O’Hearn has 30 hits with 4 doubles, 4 home runs and 17 RBIs this season. Nick Gonzales has 30 hits with 5 doubles and 13 RBIs while Brandon Lowe has 23 hits with 5 doubles, 7 home runs and 19 RBIs and Bryan Reynolds has 24 hits with 2 doubles, a triple, 3 home runs and 17 RBIs as well this season.

St. Louis Cardinals @ Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends: April 28, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: TBD

Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win

• The Cardinals have lost each of their last seven games against the Pirates following a road win.
• The Pirates have won each of their last six games following a home loss.
• The Pirates have covered the run line in each of their last seven games following a home loss.
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five road games against National League opponents following a win.
• The Pirates have won the first inning in four of their last five games against the Cardinals.
• The Cardinals have trailed after 5 innings in eight of their last nine games as road underdogs against National League opponents.
• The Pirates have led after 3 innings in each of their last four home games.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Kyle Leahy      Record this season: 2-3      ERA: 5.63
• Road Record: 2-1
• Last 5 against Pirates: 1-0

Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win

• The Pirates have lost each of their last nine home games against NL Central opponents.
• The Cardinals have won each of their last six Tuesday games as underdogs.
• The Pirates have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight home games against NL Central opponents.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in 12 of the Cardinals’ last 13 games at PNC Park.
• The Cardinals have led after 5 innings in three of their last four night games against NL Central opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Eight of the Cardinals’ last nine games as underdogs against National League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Seven of the Pirates’ last eight games as favorites against the Cardinals have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of Bubba Chandler’s last eight appearances as a starter.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in four of the Cardinals’ last five night games against National League opponents.

Pittsburgh Pirates Player Prop Facts

• Jared Triolo has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances with the Pirates as home favorites.
• Jared Triolo has recorded two or more hits in each of his last two home appearances.
• Oneil Cruz ranks T4th in the league in Steals (10) this season.

St. Louis Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• Nolan Gorman has hit a home run in three of his last nine appearances with the Cardinals as underdogs against the Pirates.
• Ramon Urias has recorded at least one hit in each of his last seven road appearances against NL Central opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pirates rank 1st in the league for home runs allowed this season (21).
• The Pirates rank 29th in the league for strikeouts against this season (278).
• The Cardinals rank 30th in the league for strikeouts this season (189).
• The Cardinals rank T27th in the league for doubles this season (36).

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction

I’m on the Pirates in this one. I get the case to be made for St. Louis, who have been playing some solid ball as of late. However, Kyle Leahy is the weak link of the rotation for the Cardinals in my opinion and I think the Pirates get to him for the win here so give me the Pirates in this one.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Pittsburgh -110