• The Pirates are -118 favorites vs the Cardinals
• Pirates vs Cardinals Over / Under today: 7.5 Runs
• Pirates / Cardinals TV Channel: CATV | SNPT | KMOV

The Pittsburgh Pirates (-118) visit Busch Stadium to take on the St. Louis Cardinals (-102) on August 28, 2026. First pitch is scheduled for 8:15 pm in St. Louis, MO.

This season, the Pirates are 65-70 against the spread (ATS), while the Cardinals are 73-59 ATS.

Pirates vs Cardinals Starting Pitchers Today:

• Pirates starting pitcher: Jared Jones 2-5, 4.77 ERA
• Cardinals starting pitcher: Quinn Mathews 0-2, 6.43 ERA

Pirates vs. Cardinals Odds, Run Line, Over/Under & Moneyline

Pirates vs Cardinals Prediction for Today’s Game

Based on recent trends the model predicts the Cardinals will win Friday‘s MLB game with 51.6% confidence, factoring in game simulations, recent player performances, starting pitchers and injuries.

Bet now on Pirates vs Cardinals and all games with BetMGM

We’ve highlighted some favorite MLB player prop bets for Pirates players for Friday‘s game, looking at profitable historical betting trends:

Best Pirates Player Prop Bets Today:

• Spencer Horwitz has hit the Runs Under in 18 of his last 20 games (+15.50 Units / 45% ROI)
• Esmerlyn Valdez has hit the Walks Over in 12 of his last 20 away games (+9.85 Units / 49% ROI)
• Oneil Cruz has hit the Singles Under in 19 of his last 25 away games (+8.80 Units / 20% ROI)
• Nick Yorke has hit the Hits Under in 10 of his last 15 games (+8.20 Units / 45% ROI)
• Oneil Cruz has hit the Hits Runs and RBIs Over in 14 of his last 20 games (+8.15 Units / 36% ROI)

And here are some favorite MLB player prop bets for Cardinals players for Friday‘s game, looking at profitable historical betting trends:

Best Cardinals Player Prop Best Bets Today:

• Nathan Church has hit the Hits Runs and RBIs Over in 18 of his last 25 games (+12.80 Units / 44% ROI)
• Nathan Church has hit the Hits Over in 17 of his last 20 games (+11.85 Units / 36% ROI)
• Nathan Church has hit the Singles Over in 15 of his last 20 games (+11.45 Units / 56% ROI)
• JJ Wetherholt has hit the Total Bases Under in 13 of his last 15 games at home (+9.90 Units / 37% ROI)
• Nolan Gorman has hit the Runs Under in 20 of his last 25 games (+9.70 Units / 20% ROI)

Pirates Best Bets Today:

• The Pittsburgh Pirates have hit the Game Total Under in 14 of their last 19 away games (+8.55 Units / 41% ROI)
• The Pittsburgh Pirates have hit the Team Total Under in 22 of their last 35 games (+7.95 Units / 20% ROI)
• The Pittsburgh Pirates have hit the 1st Five Innings (F5) Team Total Over in 15 of their last 25 away games (+3.50 Units / 11% ROI)
• The Pittsburgh Pirates have covered the Run Line in 4 of their last 7 away games (+1.65 Units / 19% ROI)
• The Pittsburgh Pirates have hit the Moneyline in 7 of their last 13 games (+1.05 Units / 7% ROI)

Cardinals Best Bets Today:

• The St. Louis Cardinals have hit the 1st Five Innings (F5) Moneyline in 26 of their last 50 games (+12.10 Units / 21% ROI)
• The St. Louis Cardinals have covered the 1st Five Innings (F5) Run Line in 18 of their last 24 games (+11.55 Units / 42% ROI)
• The St. Louis Cardinals have hit the Game Total Over in 14 of their last 19 games (+9.75 Units / 47% ROI)
• The St. Louis Cardinals have hit the Team Total Under in 22 of their last 35 games at home (+8.50 Units / 21% ROI)
• The St. Louis Cardinals have hit the 1st Five Innings (F5) Team Total Under in 19 of their last 30 games at home (+6.40 Units / 17% ROI)

Pirates Against the Spread (ATS) Record

Against the spread this season, the Pirates are 64-67 against the Run Line (-9.75 Units / -5.7% ROI).

• 65-70 when betting on the Moneyline for -14.95 Units / -9.04% ROI
• 72-59 when betting on the total runs Over for +7.35 Units / 4.94% ROI
• 59-72 when betting on the total runs Under for -19.9 Units / -13.41% ROI

Cardinals Against the Spread (ATS) Record

Against the spread this season, the Cardinals are 73-59 against the Run Line (-1.1 Units / -0.58% ROI).

• 67-68 when betting on the Moneyline for +4.55 Units / 3.11% ROI
• 59-70 when betting on the total runs Over for -18.35 Units / -12.34% ROI
• 70-59 when betting on the total runs Under for +4.9 Units / 3.3% ROI

Cardinals vs Pirates Home Run Prop Bets Today

Cardinals vs Pirates Total Hits Prop Bets Today

Cardinals vs Pirates Strikeout Prop Bets Today

Pirates Keys to the Game vs. the Cardinals

The Pirates are just 5-34 (.128) when allowing 10 or more hits this season — 2nd lowest in MLB.

The Pirates are just 27-38 (.415) after a win this season — 5th lowest in MLB.

The Pirates are just 12-77 (.135) when allowing 10 or more hits since the 2025 season — lowest in MLB.

The Pirates are just 34-46 (.425) vs bottom 10 scoring offenses since the 2025 season Today, they face the Cardinals (18th in runs scored).

Cardinals Keys to the Game vs. the Pirates

The Cardinals are just 25-15 (.625) when they’ve had 10 or more hits this season — 2nd lowest in MLB.

The Cardinals are just 6-13 (.316) when tied entering the 8th inning this season — 3rd lowest in MLB.

The Cardinals are just 5-47 (.096) when trailing entering the 7th inning this season — 4th lowest in MLB.

The Cardinals are just 13-24 (.351) when tied entering the 8th inning since the 2025 season — 2nd lowest in MLB.

Pirates Hitting Stats & Trends

Pirates hitters have an OBP of .339 (3,618 PA’s) against RHP this season — 3rd best in MLB.

Pirates hitters have an OBP of .348 (2,548 PA’s) at home this season — best in MLB.

The Pirates are batting .270 at home this season — best in MLB.

Pirates hitters have an OPS of .759 (3,618 PA’s) against RHP this season — 2nd best in MLB.

Cardinals Hitting Stats & Trends

Cardinals hitters have struck out in just 19% of their PA’s against LHP this season — 3rd best in MLB.

Cardinals hitters are slugging just .496 with the pitcher behind in the count this season — lowest in MLB.

Cardinals hitters are slugging just .364 at home this season — 2nd lowest in MLB.

Cardinals hitters have an OPS of just .672 (2,523 PA’s) at home this season — 2nd lowest in MLB.

Pirates Pitching Stats & Trends

Pirates pitchers have walked 10% of batters when facing the leadoff batter in the inning this season — tied for 2nd highest in MLB.

Pirates pitchers have a strikeout rate of 24% this season — tied for 5th best in MLB.

The Pirates have won just 18% of road games in which their opponents scored first this season — 5th lowest in MLB.

The Pirates have won just 25% of games in which their opponents scored first this season — tied for 3rd lowest in MLB.

Cardinals Pitching Stats & Trends

The Cardinals pitchers have allowed their opponents to score first in just 32% of their games on the road this season — lowest in MLB.

Cardinals pitchers have induced opposing hitters to ground into 119 double plays in 1,017 opportunities (12%) this season — best in MLB.

Opponents have a miss rate of just 23% against Cardinals pitchers this season — 4th lowest in MLB.

Cardinals pitchers have a strikeout rate of just 19% with runners in scoring position this season — tied for 4th lowest in MLB.

More MLB Reading:

• Home Run Predictions Today
• Best NRFI Bets Today
• Strikeout Props Today
• MLB Starting Pitchers Today

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