The Pittsburgh Pirates (24-24) and St. Louis Cardinals (28-19) meet Wednesday in Game 2 of a 3-game NL Central series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. First pitch is at 7:45 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze MLB odds around the Pirates vs. Cardinals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cardinals lead 5-0
The Cardinals got a 9-6 home win as -112 favorites Tuesday with the Over (8.0) cashing as DH Ivan Herrera hit a walk-off 3-run home run in the bottom of the 10th inning. 2B JJ Wetherholt went 2 for 4, reached base 3 times and had a 2-run HR.
The Pirates are riding a 4-game losing streak and have lost 7 of their last 10. 1B Jared Triolo went 3 for 4, and LF Bryan Reynolds had a 2-run double. Pittsburgh left 11 runners on base.
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Pirates at Cardinals projected starters
RHP Carmen Mlodzinski vs. RHP Michael McGreevy
Mlodzinski (3-3, 4.40 ERA) makes his eighth start. He has a 1.444 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 8.6 K/9 in 45 innings.
- Last start: Win, 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 2 K in a 7-3 home victory vs. Colorado Rockies Thursday
- Career vs. Cardinals: 2-0, 2.18 ERA (20 2/3 IP, 5 ER), 1.113 WHIP, 10.5 K/9 in 3 starts
- 2026 on road: 0-3, 4.94 ERA, 23 2/3 IP, 13 ER, 30 H, 6 BB, 21 K in 5 starts
McGreevy (3-2, 2.10 ERA) makes his 10th start. He has a 0.877 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 6.3 K/9 in 51 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K in a 5-4 road victory vs. Athletics Thursday
- Career vs. Pirates: 1-0, 4.00 ERA (9 IP, 4 ER), 1.111 WHIP, 11.0 K/9 in 1 start
- 2026 at home: 1-0, 1.17 ERA, 23 IP, 3 ER, 12 H, 6 BB, 16 K in 4 starts
Pirates at Cardinals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:13 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pirates +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Cardinals -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Pirates -1.5 (+170) | Cardinals +1.5 (-210)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Pirates at Cardinals picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 6, Pirates 3
BET CARDINALS -120.
It’s probably relatively safe to bet the Cardinals here given their dominance against Pittsburgh this season and having the definitive pitching advantage. McGreevy has been excellent so far this year, surrendering 1 or 0 runs in 6 starts. He has also been dominant at home. Mlodzinski has pitched less than 6 innings in 5 of his 7 starts. St. Louis has won 6 straight over the Pirates dating back to last season.
Keep in mind, Mlodzinski has had success against St. Louis in the past, and the Pirates are bound to get a win over the Cards at some point this season.
PASS. No interest.
BET OVER 7.5 (-115).
These teams have combined for 8 or more runs in all but 1 of their matchups this season. They have hit the Over in each of their last 4. The teams combined are averaging more than 9 runs per game (Pittsburgh 4.90, St. Louis 4.62). In their 5 wins over the Pirates, the Cardinals have scored 39 total runs.
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