Pirates Edge Cardinals in Thrilling Finish

What we said beforehand

The upcoming matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium is set to be an intriguing contest, especially as the series is currently tied 1-1. Both teams are closely matched in terms of their overall records, with the Cardinals at 68-69 and the Pirates at 66-71, making this game pivotal as they aim to improve their standings in the league.

In their recent form, the Cardinals have had a mixed bag of results. Over their last five games, they have won two and lost three, with their most recent outing resulting in a 6-2 loss to the Pirates on August 29. Prior to that, they secured a 4-1 victory against the same opponent earlier that day. Overall, the Cardinals have averaged 4.6 runs scored per game while allowing 6.6 runs over their last five games. At home, they have a record of 4-6 in their last ten games, scoring an average of 4.9 runs while allowing 6.6 runs.

The Pirates, on the other hand, have also shown inconsistency in their recent performances. They have a record of 5-5 over their last ten games, but their last game against the Cardinals resulted in a loss. In their last five games, they have averaged 1.8 runs scored per game, which is significantly lower than their average runs allowed of 3.0. Their recent form includes a notable win against the San Diego Padres, where they triumphed 1-0, but they have struggled to maintain that momentum against the Cardinals.

When it comes to home and away performance, the Cardinals have a home record of 2-2 in their last five games, while the Pirates have a 2-3 record in their last five away games. This dynamic could play a crucial role in the upcoming game, as the Cardinals will look to leverage their home-field advantage.

In terms of head-to-head matchups, the Cardinals have a slight edge with a record of 12-9 against the Pirates in their last 21 meetings. Their most recent encounter on August 29 saw the Cardinals win 4-1, which may boost their confidence heading into this game. However, earlier in the season, the Pirates managed to secure a 6-2 victory against the Cardinals, indicating that both teams are capable of winning.

Injury concerns could also impact the game significantly. The Cardinals will be missing several key players, including Everson Pereira and Masyn Winn, both on the 10-Day IL due to hand and thumb injuries, respectively. Additionally, Andre Pallante and Peter Strzelecki are on the 15-Day IL due to elbow and forearm issues, while JJ Wetherholt is also on the 10-Day IL with a wrist injury. The Pirates will be without Konnor Griffin, who is on the 60-Day IL with a finger injury, and Ryan O'Hearn, who is on the 10-Day IL with a quadriceps issue. Endy Rodriguez is also on the 10-Day IL due to a hip injury, while Mitch Keller is on the 60-Day IL with an arm injury.

The market has priced the game with the Pirates as slight favorites at -119 according to DraftKings, while the Cardinals are at +111. The spread is set at 1.5, with a total of 8.0 runs for the game. The odds for the over are -102, while the under sits at -119. This indicates that the market expects a competitive game, with scoring likely to be moderate.

Weather conditions are also worth noting, as the game is expected to take place in warm temperatures of around 91°F, with gusts of wind reaching up to 15 mph. There is no precipitation forecasted, which should provide a clear playing field for both teams.

As the game approaches, fans should watch for the performance of key players. For the Cardinals, Alec Burleson leads in batting average at .288 and has 99 RBIs, while Jordan Walker has hit 27 home runs. For the Pirates, Nick Gonzales boasts a batting average of .307, and Brandon Lowe has contributed significantly with 28 home runs and 81 RBIs. Their performances could be pivotal in determining the outcome of this closely contested matchup.