- Matchup: Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals
- Scheduled Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
- Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
- Broadcast: Cardinals.TV
- Betting Odds: Pittsburgh (-196) St. Louis (+162)
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The Pittsburgh Pirates (24-24) are heading to Busch Stadium this Thursday for a clash against the St. Louis Cardinals (28-19). The odds are favoring Pittsburgh at -196, while St. Louis is positioned at +162. The total runs line stands at 9. Expected to take the mound are Braxton Ashcraft for the Pirates and Dustin May for the Cardinals.
As a team, the Pittsburgh Pirates are averaging 4.9 runs per game, ranking 7th in the league. They have scored a total of 235 runs with an on-base percentage (OBP) of .334. The Pirates have recorded 69 doubles and hit 49 home runs this season. They’ve accumulated 224 RBIs and 416 hits, boasting a batting average of .250. While slashing .386 in slugging, they’ve struck out 444 times and earned 191 walks.
Pittsburgh’s pitchers have established a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.49 with a collective WHIP of 1.24. They’ve given up 43 home runs and allowed 220 total runs (ranking 19th in the league). Allowing 369 hits (7.6 per 9 innings) and 193 earned runs, the Pirates have recorded a team ERA of 3.97 (12th in MLB) with 428 strikeouts. Their pitching unit has issued 172 walks and a FIP of 3.81.
The Pirates’ bullpen has a save percentage of 40.0%, appearing in 48 save situations. They’ve managed 8 saves this season while failing to convert 12 out of 20 save opportunities. Relief pitchers have inherited 59 base runners, with 35.6% scoring. This season, they’ve participated in 54 high-leverage situations and sent 164 relievers to the mound, accumulating 27 holds (15th in MLB).
The Pirates have recorded 1,313 putouts with 406 assists and 25 errors. Their fielding percentage stands at .986, placing them 20th in the league, and they’ve initiated 35 double plays. They convert 70.9% of balls in play into outs over 3,939 innings, ranking 9th in the league.
Ashcraft has pitched 124 innings, accumulating 127 strikeouts in his career. With a win-loss record of 6-6, he carries a FIP of 2.85 and has faced 511 batters in MLB. His earned run average is 2.90 (40 earned runs conceded) with a career WHIP of 1.167. He’s allowed 107 hits (7.7 per 9 innings) with 38 walks.
The St. Louis Cardinals possess an OBP of .323 and a team batting average of .242 this season. They have struck out 382 times (24th in MLB) and collected 382 base hits. They’ve hit 55 home runs and generated 210 RBIs, achieving a team slugging percentage of .393 and scoring an average of 4.62 runs per game (9th in MLB). The Cardinals have managed 70 doubles while earning 162 walks and racking up 217 runs.
St. Louis’ pitching staff has allowed 211 runs this season, posting a 4.15 ERA (196 earned runs allowed). Allowing 49 home runs, they permit 4.47 runs per 9 innings (13th in the league). Their team WHIP stands at 1.374 with a FIP of 4.42. Their K/BB ratio is 7.30 (343 strikeouts against 177 walks), ranking 22nd in overall hits allowed at 407.
The Cardinals have encountered 71 save situations, with 43 holds and 9 blown saves. In 26 save opportunities, they’ve secured 17 saves. St. Louis relievers have inherited a scoring rate of 35.2% among their 71 inherited base runners. They’ve been in high-leverage situations 63 times and 52 times with men on base. Their bullpen ranks 12th in MLB with a 65.4% save percentage and has used 170 relievers this season.
The Cardinals have turned 50 double plays and hold a fielding percentage of .987 (16th in MLB). They’ve recorded 457 assists, 23 errors, and accumulated 1,276 putouts this season. In 3,828 innings played, their defensive efficiency stands at 69.8% (19th in MLB).
In his career, May has given up 330 hits and recorded 332 strikeouts over 372 innings pitched. He’s allowed 165 earned runs, posting a WHIP of 1.231 and a FIP of 3.9. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is 2.59, facing 1,561 hitters throughout his MLB career. May carries a 22-24 career record with a 3.99 ERA, allowing 8.0 hits per 9 innings.
Who will prevail in tonight’s MLB matchup against the spread or on the moneyline?
Selection: Opt for St. Louis (+162)
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