Cardinals vs. Pirates Friday Prediction
National League Central rivals open a new series at PNC Park on Friday night as the Pittsburgh Pirates host the St. Louis Cardinals. Will game one of the series go to the home favorite?
Game Snapshot & Odds
953 St. Louis Cardinals (+100) at 954 Pittsburgh Pirates (-120); 9 runs
Friday, May 25, 2018
7:05 p.m. ET, PNC Park
TV: STL (FSMW); PIT (ATTP)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Pirates as a -120 favorite. As of this writing, 51% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Pirates to beat the Cardinals on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Pirates’ Musgrove to make Pittsburgh debut on Friday
Joe Musgrove (shoulder) will make his Pirates debut Friday against the Cardinals. It had looked like it would be Wednesday, but manager Clint Hurdle officially announced Sunday that Friday will be Musgrove’s debut with his new club. The right-hander has been out all season with a shoulder issue that cropped up in spring training but made it through four rehab starts with no issues, posting a 4.58 ERA and 17/2 K/BB ratio over 17 2/3 innings.
Cardinals’ Gant doesn’t last long vs. Phillies
John Gant allowed five runs — three earned — over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Phillies on Saturday. It was hit or miss — quite literally — for Gant on this day, as the Phillies plated five runs but also struck out seven times while Gant was on the hill. In five appearances, including two starts, the 25-year-old owns a 5.19 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. Saturday’s start was a spot start, but with the Cards in need of starters, he may slide into that role, or he may be sent out for a different option
MLB Betting Trends
St. Louis
The Cardinals are winless in their last five meetings with the Pirates and are also 0-5 in their last five games played at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh
The under is 7-2-1 in the last 10 meetings between these two teams overall.
Prediction:
I don’t know what to expect out of Musgrove but given the Cardinals’ issues with the Pirates recently and the fact that Gant has not looked sharp thus far, I’ll lay the small price on Pittsburgh. The Cardinals are winless in Gant’s last four starts, have issues in their bullpen and suddenly are back to having offensive problems as well. At least the Bucs are 10-4 in their last 14 home games and 13-5 in their last 18 games versus the rest of the National League Central.
The Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates -120