Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals Prediction and Picks, September 22, 2026

The St. Louis Cardinals need to win against the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight. The Pirates have been doing well lately, winning 6 of their last 10 games. However, the Cardinals are an underdog with a real shot to pull this off. They've been struggling a bit, winning only 3 of their last 10, but they know how to compete. At PNC Park, home runs are less likely to happen, which means the game might come down to solid pitching and smart hitting. The Cardinals can take advantage of this and play a close game. The biggest risk is that both teams are pretty evenly matched right now, so it could easily go either way. Still, the odds make this bet worth a look.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals: Over 7.5 Total Runs (+104)

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been hitting well lately, winning 6 of their last 10 games. They also play at PNC Park where home runs are less common, which might keep the game from getting too wild. On the other side, the St. Louis Cardinals have struggled more, winning only 3 of their last 10. However, both teams can score, and the overall matchup looks like it could produce some runs. Betting on over 7.5 total runs feels reasonable since our numbers suggest a combined total around 8.4. While the Pirates' home runs are down, both lineups have the potential to generate offense. The biggest risk is that both teams have been inconsistent lately, especially the Cardinals, who haven't been winning much. Still, it seems likely they can combine for a few runs today.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals: St. Louis Cardinals -1.5 Spread (+215)

The St. Louis Cardinals need to win by two or more runs tonight against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Even though the Pirates have been playing decently, winning 6 of their last 10 games, the Cardinals have the potential to turn things around. They've won 3 of their last 10, but they still have a strong lineup that can surprise. Both teams play in parks where home runs are less common, which means runs could be hard to come by. The Cardinals will need to step up their game, but considering their talent, they have a solid chance to cover the spread. Just remember, the Pirates have been tough at home, making this matchup closer than it seems.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals: Alec Burleson Over 1.5 Batter - Hits + Runs + RBIs (+105)

The odds for Alec Burleson to get over 1.5 hits, runs, and RBIs are looking pretty good at +105. The Pirates have been doing well lately, winning six of their last ten games, while the Cardinals are struggling, only taking three of their last ten. The wind is blowing out toward the outfield at PNC Park tonight, which should help the hitters, including Burleson. While Burleson has been getting hits at a lower rate recently, he's faced a lot of chances against right-handed pitchers, and the match-up looks favorable. The biggest risk is that the Cardinals have been struggling overall, which might impact his opportunities. Still, with the conditions tonight, there's a solid chance Burleson can step up and surpass that total.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals: Jared Jones Under 5.5 Pitcher - Strikeouts (+101)

Jared Jones has been pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he's had some ups and downs lately. The Pirates have won six of their last ten games, showing they can play well, but Jones might find it tough against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals have been struggling, winning only three of their last ten games. At PNC Park, home runs are rare, so strikeouts might also drop a bit. With the way both teams are hitting, it feels like Jones could stay under 5.5 strikeouts today. However, the risk here is that he could face a lineup that suddenly heats up. This bet is close to a toss-up, so be ready for anything!

Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals: Jared Jones Under 14.5 Pitcher - Outs (+149)

Jared Jones has been a solid pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he's been doing well lately, helping the team win 6 of their last 10 games. At PNC Park, where home runs are less likely to happen, he can focus on getting outs without worrying too much about long balls. The bet here is that he will get under 14.5 outs, which feels like a good shot given his recent form. On the other hand, the St. Louis Cardinals have struggled a bit, winning only 3 of their last 10 games. While the matchup is close, the real risk is that Jones could get hit hard early, which might force him out of the game quicker than expected. Still, with the way things have been going for both teams, this bet has a fair chance.

That is everything our model likes in this game. Prices can move before you get on, so check the board at your bookmaker. Bet what you can afford to lose. If betting stops being fun, take a break.