Cardinals vs Pirates Predictions and Picks

The St. Louis Cardinals’ bats went radio silent in their loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, as their batters struck out 14 times. The Cards look to get better later tonight in Game 2 of this three-game series in PNC Park. Will the Cards even the series? Or will the Pirates maintain a clean slate with a victory?

Meanwhile in the NBA, the Cavs and the Bucks square off in an intriguing matchup in Milwaukee. You can check out that game’s preview here.

MLB World Series News and Previews

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview

Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh

When: Tuesday, April 5, 2016, 7:05 PM ET

Line: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast: ESPN

Betting on the St. Louis Cardinals (0-1)

The Cardinals didn’t have a great start to their 2016 campaign. The defending NL Central champs lost to Pittsburgh 4-1 on Sunday, but a chance to bounce back comes later tonight with Michael Wacha getting the ball.

Wacha will look to do better than Adam Wainwright, who gave up three earned runs on six hits in six innings of play in the opener. Wacha has been successful so far in his career against Pittsburgh, as he enters tonight’s game carrying a 3-1 record and a 3.97 ERA in four starts versus the Pirates since 2013—his first year in the majors.

Wacha will also have the help of their bullpen, which was third last season in ERA (2.82) and seventh in FIP (3.50).

St. Louis’ offense, meanwhile, will count on the bats of Matt Carpenter, Matt Holliday, and Yadier Molina to deliver anew. All three had hits on Sunday with Molina going 2-for-3 at the plate. Speaking of Molina, he is 7-for-22 (.318) with a home run against Pirates starter Jonathon Niese.

Jedd Gyorko, who went 0-for-4 on Sunday, could bounce back big tonight, considering that he’s 5-for-9 (.556) all-time against Niese.

The over is 8-0 in Wacha’s last eight starts overall.

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Betting on the Pittsburgh Pirates (1-0)

Jonathon Niese is ready to showcase his stuff for the Pirates. The lefty will make his first start in Pittsburgh uniform later tonight versus St. Louis.

Niese was just 9-10 with a poor 4.13 ERA in 29 starts for the Mets last season, but a change in scenery might do wonders for the eight-year veteran. Niese must be happy to find a new home in PNC Park, where he’s pitched relatively well in the past. The former Met is 3-1 with 3.47 ERA in four career starts in Pittsburgh.

While Niese adjusts to his new surroundings, it’ll be important for the Bucs’ offense to give the pitcher enough runs to feel comfortable on the mound. It’s good news for Niese that the Pirates had one of the most prolific offenses last season, ranking 11^th in runs (697) and ninth in batting average (.260). Their bats showed no signs of rust on Sunday, when the Pirates went 9-for-28 at the plate.

With Wacha starting for St. Louis, the Pirates’ prospect of hitting well again seems high. For one, Wacha was rocked by Pittsburgh the last time he made a start against the Bucs. Wacha lasted just four innings in an 8-2 loss in Pittsburgh on September 30 last year, giving up six earned runs on four hits while also issuing four walks.

Pittsburgh is 7-3 in its last 10 home games against the Cards.