St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction, Picks and Preview – September 30, 2015

There is still hope for the Pittsburgh Pirates to catch the St. Louis Cardinals atop the National League Central. The Pirates’ chances of doing just that are very slim, though, as they’re four games behind St. Louis. Still, Charlie Morton will have to bring his best stuff later tonight, when he steps on the mound to face St. Louis, against whom he has struggled for most of his career. Will the Cards put another dent on Pittsburgh’s attempt to take their spot? Or will the Pirates make the NL Central race a little bit more interesting?
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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Preview

Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh

When: Wednesday, September 30, 2015, 7:05 PM ET

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

Betting on the St. Louis Cardinals

For what could be their last game this year against Pittsburgh, the Cardinals will send Tyler Lyons (2-1, 3.96 ERA) to the mound for the finale of this three-game series at PNC Park.

[sc:MLB240banner ]Lyons hasn’t started in a lot of games this season, as the Cards mostly use him as a reliever. In fact, he’s just 2-1 with a 3.96 ERA in seven starts this year. In his most recent start, Lyons earned a no decision as he pitched for six innings and gave up three earned runs on six hits in a 4-3 loss to Washington on September 6. Lyons tossed three plus innings out of the bullpen and allowed one run on two hits in a 4-3 loss to Milwaukee on September 25.

Lyons has pitched for at least six innings in a game just once this season, so expect the Cards’ bullpen to come into the picture early against the Pittsburgh. St. Louis’ backend pitching, however, has been disappointing thus far this month, as the Cards’ relievers own a collective ERA of 4.63 and a FIP of 4.14 this September.

On offense, the Cards will look for the bats of Jhonny Peralta and Matt Carpenter to help generate runs. Peralta is 6-for-19 (.316) with two doubles in his career against Gerrit Cole. Likewise, Carpenter is 6-for-19 (.316) with two home runs off the Pirates’ pitcher.

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Betting on the Pittsburgh Pirates

Gerrit Cole (18-8, 2.60 ERA) has on more start left before he gets into postseason mode. Cole, however, looks ready for the playoffs for a long time, as he’s been pitching very well of late. In fact, Cole is 3-0 with a 2.30 ERA in his last four starts.

That stretch includes a 3-2 win over the Cubs on September 25, wherein Cole tossed seven innings of one-hit ball, while striking out eight batters. Moreover, Cole also tamed the Cards earlier this month, when he pitched seven scoreless innings and allowed just two hits in a 7-1 win at Busch Stadium on September 6. When Cole faces the Cards later tonight, he’ll be looking to further improve his 2-1 record 2.33 ERA, and .208 opponents’ batting average in three starts this season against St. Louis.

Cole’s great track record against the Cards this season notwithstanding, the Bucs’ offense will have to show up on offense. The Pirates have scored just four runs over their last three games, in two of which they’ve gone scoreless.

Josh Harrison might be able to do damage at the plate tonight, as he’s 5-for-12 (.417) in his career against Lyons. He’s also batting .280/.333/.400  over his last seven games. Starling Marte, meanwhile, is 10-for-23 (.313) in his last seven games.

Pittsburgh is 6-1 in Cole’s last seven home starts.

Writer’s Prediction

Pittsburgh wins, 3-2.

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