St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Predictions June 12th 2024

Pirates vs. Cardinals: Pittsburgh Aims to Keep Winning Streak Alive

The Pittsburgh Pirates are on a roll, winning five of their last seven games and securing second place in the National League Central. Wednesday night, they’re looking to inch closer to a .500 record in the second game of their three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

In a nail-biting opener on Tuesday, the Pirates pulled off a 2-1 win over the Cardinals. Jack Suwinski scored on a fielder’s choice by Connor Joe in the ninth inning, and Andrew McCutchen dashed home on a sacrifice fly by Oneil Cruz. Reflecting on the clutch victory, Joe said, “Any way possible, right?… Sometimes it comes down to the ninth inning.”

Pirates’ Key Performances

Bryan Reynolds was a game-changer, breaking Miles Mikolas’ no-hit bid with a seventh-inning triple. Reynolds has been on fire, going 13-for-37 with one homer, five RBIs, and five runs over his last nine games. Nick Gonzales also chipped in with a double, continuing his hot streak by going 8-for-23 with a homer and seven RBIs over the past six games.

Pirates’ Pitching Prospects

Left-hander Bailey Falter (3-3, 3.69 ERA) is set to pitch for the Pirates, hoping to rebound from a tough outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers where he allowed five runs on eight hits over four-plus innings. Despite this, manager Derek Shelton praised Falter’s ability to bounce back mid-game. Falter boasts a 3.29 ERA in three career games against the Cardinals.

Welcome to the ScoresAndStats MLB Picks Community!

Cardinals’ Response

The Cardinals will counter with right-hander Sonny Gray (7-4, 3.21 ERA), who’s been struggling lately. Gray has lost his last two starts, giving up seven runs and seven walks over 9 2/3 innings. Reflecting on his performance, Gray admitted, “I’m trending in the wrong direction. I’ve got to come up with a plan and get back on track.” Gray’s history against the Pirates is mixed, with a 4-4 record and a 4.35 ERA in 10 appearances.

Players to Watch

The Pirates need to keep an eye on Cardinals hitters Alec Burleson, Nolan Arenado, and Nolan Gorman. Burleson has been hot, with 12 hits in his last nine games. Arenado, one of the league’s top hitters, has recorded back-to-back two-hit games. Gorman, leading the Cardinals with 15 home runs, remains a formidable offensive threat.

Outlook for the Series

With players like Reynolds and Gonzales in top form, the Pirates have a solid chance to capitalize on Gray’s recent struggles. This game offers Pittsburgh an opportunity to solidify their position in the standings and continue their upward momentum. Maintaining this pace is crucial for the Pirates as they aim to stay competitive in the National League Central.