If you like pitching duels, then you’re going to like this primetime matchup between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals. Pittsburgh ace Gerrit Cole goes head-to-head against St. Louis’ Michael Wacha as the Cardinals attempt to extend their NL Central lead over the Pirates.
Which pitcher shows ace-like mettle in this intriguing matchup? Read on as we break down one of the day’s best Major League action. Get your fix of the latest baseball news as well with our special features on the AL and NL Wild Card races.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals Preview
Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
When: Wednesday, August 12, 8:15 PM ET
Line: Pittsburgh Pirates (+113) at St. Louis Cardinals (-123); total 6.5 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are in a tough spot, as they’ve lost seven straight games at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Gerrit Cole (14-5, 2.39 ERA) stands a good chance of breaking that streak when he attempts to become the majors’ first 15-game winner this season.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Getting that 15th win will be tougher if Cole doesn’t get the run support he needs, though. The Pirates have given their ace just 2.8 runs of support in his last four starts. Cole has been solid in those outings with a 1.04 WHIP, but he seems to be hit-or-miss when it comes to facing St. Louis.
The right-hander is 2-2 with a 3.24 ERA in his last five outings against the Cardinals. He won his last start against the Cards 5-2 on July 10, allowing two earned runs on a homer over seven innings.
Andrew McCutchen had sported one of the hottest bats heading into this series, batting .429 with 13 RBIs in his last 10 games. But he’s struggled to get going in St. Louis, as he went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in the series opener Tuesday. McCutchen is hitting just .107 in his last six trips to Busch Stadium, but he could breakout in this game; he’s 5 for 12 against St. Louis starter Michael Wacha.
Pittsburgh has won five of its last eight games this month.
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Betting on the St. Louis Cardinals
The Pirates may be starting their ace, but the Cardinals also have one up their sleeves in Michael Wacha (13-4, 2.92 ERA). The St. Louis right-hander has been excellent against the Pirates, going 2-0 with a 1.82 ERA in four starts against the Pirates. He won his last start against them at PNC Park on May 8, allowing just two earned runs over six innings.
Wacha is entering this contest red hot after holding opponents to a .189 batting average in his last four games. He’s delivered 14 shutout innings ahead of this contest against the Pirates. The St. Louis starter should be very comfortable ahead of this game against Pittsburgh. He’s averaged 5.2 runs of support in his last five starts; the Cards went 4-1 over that span.
Matt Carpenter has been especially hot on a seven-game hitting streak batting .346 with four homers and eight RBIs. He launched a two-run homer in his last outing against Cole. Jason Heyward has also been hot hitting .370 over his last 13 games.
The Cardinals are a majors-best 41-16 at home this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Cardinals (-123) take a 3-0 win.
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