Cardinals vs. Pirates Prediction
Will the Pirates make it two straight wins against the Cardinals when the NL Central rivals meet at 7:05PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Pirates are -127 money line favorites versus the Cardinals, who have +117 odds to pull off the upset. With Lance Lynn taking onJameson Taillon in the pitching matchup, the over/under currently sits at 8.5 runs.
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From Rotoworld: Lynn fired seven scoreless innings in the Cardinals’ 6-0 shutout of the Mets on Sunday. Lynn carved up the Mets with ease, yielding just three hits (all singles) while walking one and striking out two — needing only 93 pitches to get through seven frames. The impending free agent right-hander boasts a 3.61 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 93/38 K/BB ratio in 102 1/3 innings (18 starts) this season. He could make for a big-time trade chip if the Cardinals decide to sell.
Taillon set a career-high with nine strikeouts across five shutout innings in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over the Phillies. Not only were the strikeouts a career-high for Taillon, they were a season-high for any Pirates starter this season. He permitted just four hits and two walks. Unfortunately, all the whiffs elevated Taillon’s pitch count, as he was lifted after throwing 102 pitches in his five frames. Taillon holds a 1.98 ERA and 29/9 K/BB ratio over 27 1/3 innings in his five starts since returning from the disabled list. His final start of the first half will come Sunday at Wrigley.
Bet Tonight’s Cardinals vs. Pirates Game
OUR PREDICTION: The Cardinals have dropped five of Lynn’s last six road starts versus the Pirates, who are 4-1 in Taillon’s last five starts. Pittsburgh has also won six of its last seven games, is 4-1 in its last five games following a win, and has won five of its last seven inside the division. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are 1-5 in Lynn’s last six road starts, are 3-8 in his last 11 outings overall, and have dropped 13 of 18 on the road.
SATURDAY MLB PREDICTION: PITTSBURGH PIRATES -127