MLB Predictions: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

The St. Louis Cardinals (62-43) and Pittsburgh Pirates (64-42) will continue a five-game National League Central series Wednesday night at PNC Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET on ESPN

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

The St. Louis Cardinals have lost six games in a row

St. Louis has dropped six straight to open up its 11-game road trip, which includes a 6-0 setback as +106 underdogs in the final game of a Tuesday doubleheader, while each of those contests went UNDER the betting total. The Cardinals finished the day with nine hits combined, which is a shocking number due to the early numbers the offense put up in 2013. “Strange things are happening out there,” commented Cardinals manager Mike Matheny. St. Louis is 13-10 on the road with a money line of -100 to -125, with the OVER going 11-10-2 in that situation.

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (13-6, 2.51 ERA) suffered a 4-1 road loss to the Atlanta Braves last time out, as he allowed four runs (three earned) and seven hits over seven frames. The right-hander is 8-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 13 road games, issuing 10 walks and striking out 77 batters in 93 combined innings. In 19 career appearances (15 starts) versus the Pirates, Wainwright has gone 8-4 with a 5.20 ERA.

Pittsburgh has won three games in a row, with the UNDER cashing in two of those affairs. The Pirates are now 1.5 games ahead of the Cardinals in the division standings, as they moved to 22 games over .500 for the first time during the 2013 campaign. “We’re pleased but not satisfied,” commented Pirates manager Clint Hurdle. The pitching staff has compiled a 1.77 ERA in leading the club to wins in six of its last seven home games, while it has gone 35-18 overall at this ballpark. Pittsburgh is 8-6 as home underdogs of +100 to +125 this season.

Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke (9-3, 2.15 ERA) has alternated wins and losses over his last four outings, as he comes off a 2-0 setback on the road to the Miami Marlins last time out. The left-hander is 4-1 with a 2.56 ERA in nine home games, with opposing hitters batting .226 against him in that situation. Locke captured a 9-0 road victory over the Cardinals in his first career start against them on April 28.