St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Predictions August 26th 2025

St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates August 26th 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates will take on the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Pirates hold a record of 57-75 and are ranked 5th in the NL Central. They have won 6 of their last 10 games but lost their most recent game.

The Cardinals, with a record of 65-67, sit 4th in the same division. They have won 4 of their last 10 games and are coming off a win. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 7:45 PM. The weather is expected to be warm with a clear sky.

Pirates vs Cardinals Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals
• Venue: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO
• Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 7:45 PM
• Betting Odds: Pirates Moneyline +110, Cardinals Moneyline -129

The Pirates Can Win If…

The Pittsburgh Pirates recently played against the St. Louis Cardinals and lost 7-6. Despite the loss, the Pirates showed strong hitting with nine hits and two home runs. Bryan Reynolds and Spencer Horwitz were key players, each contributing home runs and RBIs.

Looking at their stats, the Pirates have a batting average of .234, ranking 16th in the league. They also have 101 stolen bases, placing them 9th. This speed on the bases can help them score runs against the Cardinals.

Mitch Keller will start for the Pirates, with an ERA of 4.34. The Pirates’ pitching staff ranks 6th in batting average against at .237. This can help them control the Cardinals’ offense and secure a win.

The Cardinals Can Win If…

The St. Louis Cardinals are coming off a close win against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 7-6 score at home. Alec Burleson led the way with four hits, including a home run, contributing two runs and one RBI. Michael McGreevy pitched six innings, allowing four earned runs and striking out seven batters.

The Cardinals have a solid batting average of .249, ranking 8th in the league. Their ability to hit doubles is a strength, as they rank 6th with 220 doubles this season. Willson Contreras is a key player, leading the team with 19 home runs and a .261 batting average.

Andre Pallante will take the mound for the Cardinals, aiming to improve on his 6-11 record. Though his ERA is 5.17, the Cardinals have shown they can support him with runs. With their strong lineup and recent win, the Cardinals have a good chance to secure another victory at home.

The Lean

The Cardinals are favored with a moneyline of -129 against the Pirates at +110. The Cardinals have a better batting average and on-base percentage, ranking 8th and 11th, respectively. My model projects the Cardinals to win with a score of 5-3, making them the recommended pick for the moneyline.

The total for the game is set at 8.0 runs. The Cardinals’ pitching has an ERA of 4.33, ranked 21st, while the Pirates have an ERA of 3.96, ranked 14th. Given the projected score of 5-3, the total is expected to be 8 runs. This aligns with the set total, suggesting a push on the over/under bet.

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Cardinals Look for Pallante to Bounce Back

The St. Louis Cardinals will turn to right-hander Andre Pallante on Tuesday night as they continue their four-game home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pallante has endured a difficult stretch in August, surrendering 15 runs on 21 hits across his last three starts, all resulting in losses.

In his most recent outing, a 6-2 defeat to the Miami Marlins, Pallante allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings while walking three, hitting two batters, and giving up three stolen bases. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol noted that while Pallante’s stuff looked strong, his struggles with free passes and controlling the running game turned into costly mistakes.

Despite recent struggles, Pallante has shown success against Pittsburgh. On July 2, he delivered seven scoreless innings with just one hit allowed. Over his career, Pallante holds a 2.20 ERA in 17 appearances against the Pirates. Bettors can explore more MLB picks to evaluate whether this matchup offers value.

Pirates Counter with Keller

Pittsburgh will counter with right-hander Mitch Keller, who is also searching for consistency. Keller has yielded 11 runs over his last two outings, spanning just 7 1/3 innings. Against Toronto last week, he allowed five runs on seven hits, walked three batters, hit another, and threw a wild pitch. Manager Don Kelly cited command issues and falling behind in counts as the main causes of trouble.

However, Keller has been particularly sharp against St. Louis this season. In three starts, he owns a 1.33 ERA, including a seven-inning shutout with seven strikeouts in his last meeting on July 2. For those preparing wagers, reviewing MLB previews can provide additional context for Keller’s matchup trends.

Cardinals Riding Momentum After Walk-Off

St. Louis grabbed momentum in the series opener with a 7-6 comeback win, capped by Alec Burleson’s walk-off home run. That victory snapped Pittsburgh’s four-game winning streak and gave the Cardinals an early edge in the series.

Both pitchers have shown flashes against these lineups, but their recent form raises uncertainty. Bettors considering this game can benefit from insights found in the expert MLB betting guide and evaluate whether a side or total presents the stronger play.

Potential X-Factor: Oneil Cruz

The Pirates may also get a boost with the potential return of outfielder Oneil Cruz, who is coming off a rehab stint in Double-A Altoona after recovering from a concussion. His availability could provide much-needed depth to Pittsburgh’s lineup, which has relied heavily on small-ball strategies during recent stretches.

Monitoring roster news and performance trends is vital for bettors, and tools like the SAS leaderboard showcase how top handicappers are approaching these volatile matchups.

Final Thoughts

Tuesday night’s matchup between the Cardinals and Pirates features two starters capable of dominance but equally vulnerable to control issues. Pallante has had trouble limiting baserunners, while Keller has struggled with command. Both offenses could have opportunities to capitalize, making this an intriguing game for bettors seeking edges.

Fans and bettors can check the latest MLB results to track trends and gain a clearer picture of how these teams perform in tight situations. For those ready to back their reads, buy picks directly from experts for added confidence.