St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates odds, picks and predictions

The St. Louis Cardinals (44-41) and Pittsburgh Pirates (41-44) meet Thursday for the finale of a 3-game series. First pitch from PNC Park is set for 12:35 p.m. (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cardinals vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: St. Louis leads 3-2

Pittsburgh escaped with a 5-4 win in 10 innings over St. Louis Wednesday while covering as a -119 home favorite. SS Oniel Cruz hit the walk-off RBI single to cap-off a 2-run inning for the Pirates. The Pirates have won 2 of their last 3 games.

After taking the lead in the 10th the Cardinals blew the lead and had a 2-game win streak snapped.

Cardinals at Pirates projected starters

RHP Andre Pallante vs. LHP Martin Perez

Pallante (4-3, 4.50 ERA) makes his 7th start. He has a 1.58 WHIP, 4.3 BB/9 and 7.3 K/9 in 38 IP.

• Last start: Win, 5 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K in a 1-0 win over Cincinnati Reds Friday
• Career vs. Pittsburgh: 0-1, 5.14 ERA (14 IP, 8 ER), 13 H, 11 BB, 5 K in 13 relief appearances

Perez (1-4, 5.28 ERA) makes his 13th start. He has a 1.61 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 7.3 K/9 in 61 1/3 IP.

• Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 6 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 4 K in a 6-1 loss at Atlanta Braves Friday
• Career vs. St. Louis: 1-0, 2.79 ERA (19 1/3 IP, 6 ER), 16 H, 5 BB, 8 K in 3 starts

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Cardinals at Pirates odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook ; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:38 p.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML) : Cardinals -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Pirates -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS) : Cardinals -1.5 (+145) | Pirates +1.5 (-175)
• Over/Under (O/U) : 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Cardinals at Pirates picks and predictions

Prediction

Cardinals 6, Pirates 5

Moneyline

LEAN CARDINALS (-115) .

St. Louis enters as the slightly hotter team, being 6-4 in their last 10 games and 3-2 in their last 5 road games vs. divisional opponents while the Pirates are 5-5 in their last 10 and have dropped 2 of their last 3 at home.

The Cardinals are also 3-1 in their last 4 matchups vs. Pittsburgh.

This is only a lean because the teams are 5-5 in their last 10 meetings.

Run line/Against the spread

PASS .

I like the Pirates to cover here, but the line is set just slightly too riskily to bet on at +1.5 (-175). Bet on the moneyline and/or total instead.

Over/Under

BET OVER 8.5 (-115).

The Over has hit in 4 of St. Louis’ last 5 road games and is 6-4 in their last 10 overall. The Over has also hit in back-to-back Cardinals-Pirates matchups, and is 3-1 in the last 4 meetings in Pittsburgh.

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