Cardinals Defeat Pirates 5-1 in PNC Park Showdown

What we said beforehand

The Pittsburgh Pirates will host the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on September 23, 2026, in a matchup that holds significant implications for both teams as the season winds down. Currently, the Pirates lead the series 1-0 after a 2-0 victory over the Cardinals on September 22, showcasing their recent strong form. The Pirates have won five consecutive games, while the Cardinals are struggling, having lost their last match against the Pirates and three of their last four overall.

In their last five games, the Pirates have shown impressive offensive prowess, winning all five and scoring a total of 27 runs, averaging 5.4 runs per game while allowing only 17, which translates to an average of 3.4 runs against. Their recent victories include a series sweep against the Kansas City Royals, where they scored 8-5, 6-5, and 4-3, along with their recent win against the Cardinals. In contrast, the Cardinals have only won one of their last five games, with their most recent loss to the Pirates adding to their woes. They scored just 12 runs in those five games, averaging 2.4 runs per game while allowing 28 runs, averaging 5.6 runs against.

At home, the Pirates have a record of 80-77, with a strong recent home performance of 6-4 over their last ten games and a current five-game winning streak. They have averaged 4.1 runs scored per game at home while allowing 4.6 runs. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have a record of 76-81, and their away form has been poor, with a record of 0-3 in their last three away games. They have averaged just 2.8 runs scored in their last five games, while allowing 30 runs, averaging 6.0 runs against in that span.

In terms of injury updates, the Pirates will be without Esmerlyn Valdez (10-Day IL, hamstring), Isaac Mattson (15-Day IL, hip), Mitch Keller (60-Day IL, shoulder), Braxton Ashcraft (15-Day IL, arm), and Endy Rodriguez (60-Day IL, hip). The Cardinals are also dealing with injuries, including Everson Pereira (10-Day IL, hand), Blaze Jordan (10-Day IL, ankle), Joshua Baez (10-Day IL, oblique), Hunter Dobbins (15-Day IL, elbow), and Max Rajcic (60-Day IL, elbow).

According to DraftKings, the odds for the game are set with the Pirates favored at -143 on the money line, while the Cardinals are at +118. The spread is set at -1.5 for the Pirates, with a total of 7.0 runs for the game. The weather at PNC Park is expected to be 63°F with a 57% chance of precipitation and wind gusts up to 14 mph, which could affect gameplay.

Fans should watch for the performance of Pirates' leader Nick Gonzales, who boasts a batting average of .302, and Brandon Lowe, who leads the team with 33 home runs and 93 RBIs. For the Cardinals, Alec Burleson is a key player to watch, hitting .280 with 111 RBIs, while Jordan Walker contributes with 28 home runs. This matchup not only highlights two teams in contrasting forms but also showcases individual talents that could make a significant impact on the outcome.