St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Predictions

Pitching matchup and moneyline

St. Louis is scheduled to start Matthew Liberatore with a 5.36 ERA, giving Pittsburgh a reason for optimism at SPF's -121 moneyline price. Regional radio station WCCS AM 1160 & 101.1 FM reports that the Pirates plan to counter with Lake Bachar as an opener in Wednesday's 6:40 p.m. game at PNC Park.

Bachar has a 3.56 ERA, but that figure doesn't describe the pitchers who will follow him. Without a clearer picture of those innings and reliever availability, the apparent ERA advantage isn't enough to justify backing Pittsburgh.

The same report says Pittsburgh has won five straight and 15 of its past 21 games. Those results and Liberatore's ERA make the Pirates the tentative winner pick, but the moneyline is a pass. St. Louis at +100 doesn't offer a supported alternative simply because Pittsburgh's pitching plan carries uncertainty.

Total and run line

SPF lists a total of 7.5, with over -112 and under -107. Liberatore's ERA alone doesn't establish an over bet without confirmed lineups or a fuller assessment of Pittsburgh's relief pitching. Pass on the total.

The listed run lines are St. Louis -1.5 and Pittsburgh +1.5. The prices are unavailable, so pass on that market.