Pick details
| MATCHUP | St. Louis Cardinals | Pittsburgh Pirates |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 77-81 | 80-78 |
| Spread | +1.5 -175 | -1.5 144 |
| Moneyline | +134 | -163 |
| Total | Over 7 (-105) | Under 7 (-115) |
| Where | PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | |
| When | Thursday, September 24, 2026 | |
| Time | 12:35 PM EDT | |
| TV | MLB.TV | |
The St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates will meet Thursday afternoon in a National League Central matchup at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at this matchup from a betting perspective.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
The St. Louis Cardinals enter Thursday’s contest with a 77-81 overall record (4th in the National League Central) and a respectable 39-38 mark on the road. The Cardinals offense has been productive this season. St. Louis has compiled 709 runs scored (12th in MLB), 227 doubles, 161 home runs and a .241 team batting average which ranks 16th in Major League Baseball.
The Cardinals arrive at tomorrow afternoon’s game in below average form. St. Louis has lost five of the team’s last seven games played this season, including a 9-1 loss to the Washington Nationals last week.
The Cardinals will turn to right hander Kyle Leahy in this game. In 29 starts made in 2026, Leahy has compiled a 10-5 win-loss record, a 3.65 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP and 129 strikeouts in 138 innings pitched. Kyle Leahy has struggled recently, allowing five earned runs or more in two of his last three starts made this season. Leahy will look to rebound from his recent struggles on the mound in tomorrow afternoon’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Shifting our focus to the St. Louis offense, the Cardinals lineup features Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker. Alec Burleson has compiled a .279 batting average, 23 home runs, an .804 OPS and a whopping 112 RBIs which ranks first in Major League Baseball. Jordan Walker has tallied a team leading 28 home runs and 100 RBIs.
Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Pirates enter Thursday’s contest with a 80-78 overall record (3rd in the National League Central) and a 43-37 mark at home. The Pirates arrive at this contest in good form, winning five of the team’s last six games, including a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals three days ago.
The Pirates will start right hander Paul Skenes in this contest. Through 31 starts made this season, Skenes has compiled a 10-11 record, a 3.91 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP and 192 strikeouts which ranks 12th in Major League Baseball. Skenes arrive at this contest in subpar form, allowing five earned runs or more in two of his last four starts made in 2026.
The Pirates lineup features Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz. Reynolds has amassed a .266 batting average, 16 home runs, 67 RBIs, 26 doubles and an .801 OPS. Cruz has compiled 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, 11 doubles, 27 stolen bases and an .827 OPS.
Why the St. Louis Cardinals will win.
• Starting pitching. In 29 starts made in 2026, Kyle Leahy has compiled a 10-5 win-loss record, a 3.65 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP and 129 strikeouts in 138 innings pitched.
• Offensive leadership. Alec Burleson has amassed a .279 batting average and 112 RBIs which ranks first in Major League Baseball.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates will win.
• Home field advantage. The Pittsburgh Pirates have played competitive baseball at home, amassing a 43-37 win-loss record at PNC Park.
• Starting pitching. In 31 starts made in 2026, Paul Skenes has compiled a 3.91 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP and 192 strikeouts (12th in MLB) in 168 innings pitched.
• Recent form. The Pittsburgh Pirates have won five of the team’s last six games.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction
In my view, the way to go in this matchup is the total rather than a side. Why? St. Louis starting pitcher Kyle Leahy has struggled recently, allowing five earned runs or more in two of his last three starts made this season. Similarly, Pittsburgh hurler Paul Skenes arrive at this contest in subpar form, allowing five earned runs or more in two of his last four starts made in 2026. With that said, I envision a contest where both pitchers struggle to limit run production. Having stated that, I am backing over 6.5 runs in this game.
Hans Geevers's Pick: Over 6.5
