Cardinals vs. Pirates Wednesday Pick
National League Central rivals will meet again at PNC Park Wednesday night when the Pirates host the Cardinals at 7:05 p.m. ET. With the way these division rivals smacked the ball around on Monday afternoon, is the over a good bet tonight?
Game Snapshot & Odds
909 St. Louis Cardinals (-111) at 910 Pittsburgh Pirates (-111); 7.5 Runs
7:07 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 3, 2019
PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Pirates as a -111 favorite to beat the Cardinals, who are -111 underdogs. As of this writing, 64% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Cardinals to win outright.
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
X-rays on Dexter Fowler’s left foot came back negative. Fowler was removed from Monday’s game after being hit by a pitch on the foot, which is the same one that he fractured last season. He will be examined again once the swelling subsides, so it sounds like he’s not out of the woods yet. Jose Martinez and Tyler O’Neill will handle right field while Fowler is sidelined.
Pittsburgh Pirates Fantasy Spin
Colin Moran went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI in the Pirates’ loss to the Cardinals on Monday. Moran belted a two-run double in the bottom of the first inning and hit a solo shot off Cardinals right-hander Mike Mayers in the bottom of the eighth. He also drew two walks in the game. Moran lost his starting third base job to Jung Ho Kang this spring, but perhaps he could become a consideration over Josh Bell at first base. This performance at the dish certainly helped the cause.
MLB Betting Trends
St. Louis
The Cardinals have won 21 of Mike Mikolas’ last 28 starts and are 5-1 in his last six road outings.
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are a perfect 5-0 in Jamison Taillon’s last five home starts and are 7-2 in his last nine outings overall.
Prediction:
Mikolas was sensational for the Cardinals last season but he got bombed in Milwaukee on Opening Day and was not sharp this spring either. Granted, he also allowed three home runs at Miller Park in his first start last year and then went on to have one of the better seasons of any pitcher in the National League. Still, with the over 4-1 in the previous five meetings between these two teams at PNC Park, including Monday’s 6-5 final, I like the over in games Mikolas will pitch early in the season.
The Pick: Cardinals/Pirates over 7.5