MLB Picks: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals

The Pittsburgh Pirates (70-47) and St. Louis Cardinals (67-50) will open up a three-game National League Central series Tuesday night at Busch Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are 8-4 as home favorites of -175 to -200

Pittsburgh was recently swept in a three-game series in Colorado, which included a 3-2 setback as -124 favorites Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total for the first time in four contests. “We’re not playing the kind of baseball that we’re accustomed to playing right now,” commented Pirates pitcher Jeff Locke. Outfielder Andrew McCutchen has been swinging a hot bat, collecting exactly two hits in nine of his last 14 starts. Pittsburgh is 30-18 versus division opponents this season, with the UNDER going 26-20-2 in that situation.

Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton (4-3, 3.88 ERA) picked up a 4-2 home victory over the Miami Marlins last time out, as he allowed two runs and six hits over seven frames. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 4.08 ERA in five road outings, with opposing hitters batting .261 against him. In 12 career games versus the Cardinals, Morton has compiled a 2-8 record and 6.30 ERA, including a 1-3 mark and 7.77 ERA in five outings at this ballpark.

St. Louis snapped a four-game losing streak last time out, as it picked up a 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs as -167 home favorites Sunday, while going OVER the betting total of 8. The Cardinals finished that affair with 13 hits, with six different players driving in runs. “I thought the guys did a real good job of situational hitting,” stated Cardinals manager Mike Matheny. St. Louis is 8-4 as home favorites of -175 to -200, with the UNDER going 6-5-1 in those 12 opportunities.

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (13-7, 2.66 ERA) has watched the club drop his last three efforts, including a 3-2 home defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers last time out, as he allowed three runs and seven hits in seven innings of work. The right-hander is 5-5 with a 2.02 ERA in 10 home appearances, surrendering two home runs in 75.2 combined frames. In 20 career games (16 starts) versus the Pirates, Wainwright has tallied a 8-4 record and 5.19 ERA.