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Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals July 2nd 2025
The St. Louis Cardinals take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. The game starts at 12:35 PM, and fans can catch it on FDSMW. The weather forecast predicts a mild day with clear skies, making it a great afternoon for baseball.
The Cardinals, managed by Oliver Marmol, hold a 47-40 record this season. They are 4 games back in the NL Central. On the mound for St. Louis is Sonny Gray, with an ERA of 3.36 and a record of 8-2. The Pirates, led by manager Don Kelly, have a 37-50 record. Mitch Keller will start for Pittsburgh, carrying an ERA of 3.90 and a 2-10 record.
Cardinals vs Pirates Key Information
- Sport: Baseball
- Teams: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
- Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
- Betting Odds: Cardinals Moneyline -138, Pirates Moneyline +117, Cardinals Runline -1.5 (+122), Pirates Runline +1.5 (-145), Total Over 8.0 (-108), Total Under 8.0 (-112)
The Cardinals Can Win If…
The St. Louis Cardinals recently faced the Pittsburgh Pirates and lost 0-1. Andre Pallante was impressive, pitching seven innings and allowing just one hit. Despite the loss, the Cardinals showed they can keep games close with strong pitching.
The Cardinals’ offense ranks 7th in batting average at .253 and 4th in doubles with 148. These stats show they can consistently get on base and hit for extra bases. Players like Brendan Donovan, with a .294 average, provide a reliable bat in the lineup.
Sonny Gray will start for the Cardinals with an ERA of 3.36 and a WHIP of 1.09. His strong record of 8-2 this season gives the Cardinals confidence on the mound. With Gray’s ability to control games, the Cardinals have a solid chance to win.
The Pirates Can Win If…
The Pittsburgh Pirates are on a hot streak with a recent 1-0 win against the St. Louis Cardinals. Paul Skenes was strong on the mound, going five innings without allowing a run. Ke’Bryan Hayes scored the only run, showing his ability to make key plays.
The Pirates’ pitching has been a strength, with a team ERA of 3.69, ranking 9th in the league. Their ability to limit opponents’ batting average to .232 is also impressive. Mitch Keller, with a 3.90 ERA, will look to continue this trend in the next game.
On offense, Andrew McCutchen leads the team with a .269 average and 31 RBIs. The Pirates have shown they can score in bunches, as seen in their 12-1 win over the Mets. Their lineup, featuring Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds, has the potential to break open any game.
The Lean
The Cardinals are favored with a moneyline of -138, while the Pirates are at +117. The Cardinals have a better batting average and on-base percentage, ranking 7th and 8th, respectively. Given these stats, the Cardinals are likely to win. My model projects a score of Cardinals 5, Pirates 3, supporting a pick for the Cardinals to win straight up.
The total for the game is set at 8.0. The Cardinals have a strong batting lineup, and the Pirates have a decent pitching staff with a 3.69 ERA, ranking 9th. My model projects a total score of 8, which aligns with the current line. Therefore, the recommendation is to go with the under 8.0.
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MLB Data & Insights
Aces Duel in Pittsburgh as Gray, Cardinals Face Hot Pirates, Keller
A fantastic pitching matchup is on tap for Wednesday afternoon in Pittsburgh as two of the National League’s best right-handers take the mound. The St. Louis Cardinals will turn to their ace, Sonny Gray, to try and salvage a game against the red-hot Pittsburgh Pirates and their own top arm, Mitch Keller.
Gray’s Historic Gem
Cardinals ace Sonny Gray (8-2, 3.36 ERA) is coming off the best start of his season and one of the best of his long career. On Friday, he threw a complete-game, one-hit shutout against the Guardians, his first shutout since 2015. He was so locked in that he lost track of the innings.
“At one point, I got mixed up and I didn’t know if I was through five or six,” Gray said. “I was like, ‘Whatever, it doesn’t matter; just go out there and go throw.'” He has also dominated the Pirates this season, posting a 0.75 ERA in two starts against them.
Keller’s Redemption
The Pirates will counter with their own ace, Mitch Keller (2-10, 3.90 ERA), who is on a redemption tour of his own. In his last start, Keller finally snapped a frustrating 15-start personal winless drought with a fantastic performance. He has also been dominant against the Cardinals this season, posting a 2.03 ERA against them in two starts, including 7 1/3 shutout innings in their last meeting in Pittsburgh.
A Tale of Two Offenses
While the pitching matchup is elite, the offenses are heading in opposite directions. The Pirates are on a five-game winning streak and just had their best offensive weekend in decades. “Winning is definitely more fun than losing,” said first baseman Spencer Horwitz. “We’re starting to click.”
The Cardinals, meanwhile, have been shut out in the first two games of this series and four times in their last seven games overall. How hot and cold offenses fare against ace pitchers is a key topic in our expert betting guide. This premier pitching matchup will be the top story on the scores and odds board.
For two MLB teams in the same division, this finale is a chance to make a statement. To see which ace our experts think will lead his team to victory, check out our daily MLB picks.
