Cardinals vs. Pirates Monday Prediction
The Pirates will open their home schedule on Monday afternoon when the visiting Cardinals come to PNC Park at 1:05 p.m. ET. Given the pitching matchup today, is Pittsburgh a safe play as a home favorite?
Game Snapshot & Odds
901 St. Louis Cardinals (+110) at 902 Pittsburgh Pirates (-130); 7.5 runs
Monday, April 1, 2019
1:05 p.m. ET, PNC Park
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Pirates are -130 favorites while the Cardinals are a +110 money line underdog. As of this writing, 60% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Cardinals to beat the Pirates on the moneyline. The total for this game sits at 7.5 runs.
This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
St. Louis Cardinals Fantasy Spin
Jordan Hicks didn’t record an out in the ninth inning Sunday, allowing two runs in a blown save against the Brewers. Hicks did get an out to end a threat in the eighth inning, but the Brewers got after him in the ninth. After a Ben Gamel pinch-hit double and a Lorenzo Cain single, Christian Yelich lined a 2-0 delivery into the left-center field gap that allowed both Gamel and Cain to race around to score. Andrew Miller and Alex Reyes, likely his primary competition for the closer gig, each allowed a run in Sunday’s game as well, so it’s not as though the Cards have many better options, but an already-tenuous hold on the job got a little shakier on this day.
Pittsburgh Pirates Fantasy Spin
Starling Marte went 1-for-4 with an RBI double, stolen base and a pair of runs scored in the Pirates’ 5-0 shutout win over the Reds on Sunday. Marte reached on an error, stole second base — his first theft of the season — and came around to score on a Josh Bell base-hit to center field in the first inning. He also plated an insurance run with an RBI double off Reds’ reliever Robert Stephenson in the eighth inning. The 30-year-old outfielder remains one of the most consistent five-category contributors in fantasy baseball and should have no issue swiping 30 bases if he stays healthy this season
MLB Betting Trends
St. Louis
The Cardinals are 37-15 in Adam Wainwright’s last 52 starts after allowing five runs or more in their previous game.
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are 19-7 in their last 26 games when facing an opponent with a winning percentage that is below .400.
Prediction:
The Cardinals had an ugly series in Milwaukee, losing three of four to the Brewers. Sunday’s game was especially gut-wrenching, as St. Louis’ bullpen blew a 4-1 lead. Now Wainwright goes to the hill following a shaky spring and offseason questions revolving around whether or not the club should have retained the long-time veteran. Outside of a couple of good starts at the end of the season in 2018, Wainwright has not pitched well in years. Throw in the fact that the Cardinals are 2-5 in Wainwright’s last seven road starts versus the Pirates and I like Pittsburgh today on the money line.
The Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates -130