- Matchup: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals
- Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
- Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
- Broadcast: Cardinals.TV
- Betting Odds: Pittsburgh (-145) | St. Louis (+125)
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The St. Louis Cardinals (66-68) are set to face the Pittsburgh Pirates (65-70) this Friday at Busch Stadium. The betting odds favor the Pirates at -145, while the Cardinals open at +125. The game’s total is projected at 9 runs, with Jared Jones and Quinn Mathews slated to be the starting pitchers.
The Pittsburgh Pirates currently average 4.9 runs per game, ranking them 5th in Major League Baseball (MLB). They have scored a total of 657 runs with an on-base percentage of .329. The Pirates have 204 doubles and have hit 158 home runs this season, totaling 627 runs batted in and achieving 1,172 hits, giving them a batting average of .252. Their slugging percentage is .404, but they have struck out 1,278 times while drawing 479 walks.
Pittsburgh’s pitching crew has a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.50 and a WHIP of 1.32. They have allowed 134 home runs and conceded a total of 633 runs (23rd in the league). The Pirates have given up 1,087 hits (averaging 8.1 hits per 9 innings) and 565 earned runs, compiling a team ERA of 4.22 (19th in the league), while striking out 1,249 batters. They have issued 499 walks, and their team FIP stands at 3.88 this season.
The Pirates’ bullpen has a save conversion rate of 56.3%, with 100 opportunities. They have secured 27 saves but have blown 21 of their 48 chances. Throughout the season, they inherited 158 runners, with 32.9% of those allowing runs. Relievers have entered with runners on base 113 times and have appeared in high-leverage situations 121 times. Pittsburgh has utilized 433 relief pitchers this season, recording 51 holds (29th in MLB).
Defensively, the Pirates have tallied 3,616 putouts, 1,061 assists, and 84 errors, resulting in a fielding percentage of .982, ranking them 26th in the majors. They have successfully turned 112 double plays, converting 68.7% of batted balls into outs during 10,848 innings played, placing them 27th overall in baseball.
Jared Jones has pitched 189 innings in his career, accumulating 209 strikeouts, with an ERA of 4.38 (having allowed 92 earned runs). His WHIP is 1.216, permitting 165 hits (7.8 hits per 9 innings) and issuing 65 walks. With a career record of 8-13, Jones holds a FIP of 4.31 after facing 793 batters in MLB.
The St. Louis Cardinals post an on-base percentage of .316 and a batting average of .241. They’ve struck out 1,047 times (26th in the league) and recorded 1,086 hits. This season, they have hit 139 home runs tallying 578 RBIs, with a slugging percentage of .382, averaging 4.43 runs per game (18th in MLB). They have also recorded 189 doubles, drawing 432 walks and scoring a total of 593 runs.
St. Louis’ pitching staff has allowed 608 runs this season, leading to a team ERA of 4.24 (with 562 earned runs). They have surrendered 133 home runs and allowed an average of 4.58 runs per 9 innings (19th in MLB). The Cardinals hold a team WHIP of 1.344 and a staff FIP of 4.08 so far this year. Their K/BB ratio stands at 7.80 (1,035 strikeouts versus 452 walks), ranking them 26th in total hits allowed with 1,153.
The Cardinals rank 18th in MLB with a save percentage of 61.3%, having utilized 449 bullpen pitchers this season. Their relievers have taken the mound 168 times in critical situations and entered 136 times with runners on base. St. Louis has had 152 save opportunities, converting 86 and recording 24 blown saves. Their relief pitchers have faced 205 inherited runners, with a scoring rate of 39.5%.
With 10,746 innings played, the Cardinals have a defensive efficiency of 69.2% (23rd in MLB). The team has turned 133 double plays and boasts a fielding percentage of .989 (4th in the majors), recording 1,257 assists, 56 errors, and 3,582 putouts this season.
Quinn Mathews has allowed 18 hits in his career, registering 13 strikeouts over 14 innings pitched. With a win-loss record of 0-2, Matthews carries a 6.43 ERA, permitting 11.6 hits per nine innings. He has allowed 10 earned runs with a WHIP of 1.786 and a FIP of 6.3. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is 1.86, having faced 66 batters in his career.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s MLB matchup, covering the spread or winning on the moneyline?
Prediction: Back St. Louis (+125)
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