Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals Picks and Predictions July 1st 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals July 1st 2025

The St. Louis Cardinals will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The game is set to start at 6:40 PM and will be broadcast on FDSMW. The weather forecast predicts moderate rain with a light breeze, which could impact play on the outdoor field.

The Cardinals, managed by Oliver Marmol, have a season record of 47-39 and are 3 games behind in the NL Central. They have a road record of 21-22. The Pirates, led by manager Don Kelly, hold a 36-50 record and are 14 games back in the division. Their home record is 24-21. Starting pitchers for the game are Andre Pallante for the Cardinals and Paul Skenes for the Pirates.

Cardinals vs Pirates Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
• Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
• Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2025
• Betting Odds: Cardinals MoneyLine +140, Pirates MoneyLine -170

The Cardinals Can Win If…

The St. Louis Cardinals are coming off a tough 0-7 loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite the setback, the Cardinals have shown their ability to bounce back. In their previous game, they defeated the Cleveland Guardians 7-0, with Matthew Liberatore pitching six strong innings, allowing only three hits and no runs.

The Cardinals have a solid hitting lineup, ranking 6th in batting average at .254. They also have a knack for hitting doubles, ranking 4th with 145 doubles this season. This ability to get on base and hit for extra bases can be key in their quest for a win.

Andre Pallante will start for the Cardinals, bringing a 4.43 ERA to the mound. While his numbers might not be standout, he has a winning record of 5-4. The Cardinals’ defense and ability to generate runs will be crucial as they look to secure a victory in this game.

The Pirates Can Win If…

The Pittsburgh Pirates enter their next game with a strong recent performance. They won 7-0 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Andrew Heaney pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing only three hits and striking out seven batters. Spencer Horwitz also contributed with a home run and three RBIs.

The Pirates’ pitching has been impressive this season. Their team ERA stands at 3.73, ranking 10th in the league. Paul Skenes, with an ERA of 2.12, will start the game. His ability to limit walks and keep runners off base has been key.

Offensively, the Pirates have shown they can score runs. They scored 12 runs against the New York Mets on June 29th. Oneil Cruz hit two home runs in that game. With players like Andrew McCutchen and Bryan Reynolds in the lineup, the Pirates can continue their winning ways.

The Lean

The Pirates are favored with a MoneyLine of -170. The Cardinals are the underdogs at +140. The Pirates have a better batting average and on-base percentage, which gives them an edge. My model projects the Pirates to win with a score of 4-3. Based on these factors, the recommendation is to pick the Pirates to win straight up.

The current total for the game is set at 7.0. The model projects a combined score of 7 runs, matching the set line. Both teams have solid pitching, with the Pirates ranked 10th in ERA. Given these projections, the recommendation is to take the under 7.0 for this game.

Stay Ahead of the Diamond

MLB Data & Insights

Get Free Trial

Pirates’ Historic Offense Backs Paul Skenes in Tough Test vs. Cardinals

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the middle of a historic offensive surge, a level of dominance their franchise hasn’t seen in a century. They’ll look to continue that blowout binge on Tuesday night as they send their ace, Paul Skenes, to the mound to face the visiting St. Louis Cardinals, the one team he has never been able to solve.

A Century of Dominance

The Pittsburgh Pirates are on a four-game winning streak, but it’s the nature of the wins that is so impressive. They have won each of those four games by at least seven runs, a feat the organization hasn’t accomplished since 1925. They have scored 37 runs during the streak.

“It’s great, and when you start to get that production from the bottom of the order like we have lately, it takes pressure off the top,” said manager Don Kelly.

Skenes vs. The Cardinals

While the Pirates are hot, their ace is facing his personal kryptonite. Paul Skenes (4-7, 2.12 ERA) is one of the best pitchers in baseball, but he is a stunning 0-4 in his career against the Cardinals. He is also coming off his shortest outing of the season against the Brewers last week. This matchup presents a fascinating challenge: a dominant pitcher trying to overcome his struggles against a specific opponent.

A Duel of Development

The pitching matchup features two right-handers looking for a good performance. While Skenes looks for his first win against St. Louis, the Cardinals will start Andre Pallante (5-4, 4.43 ERA), an inconsistent pitcher who is also coming off a loss. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol has been public about his commitment to letting Pallante learn at the big-league level. How teams develop young players is a key topic in our expert betting guide. This duel will be a major focus on the scores and odds board.

Cardinals’ Challenge

The Cardinals were on a hot streak of their own before running into the Pirates’ buzzsaw in the series opener. They will look to their veteran hitters like Nolan Arenado and Alec Burleson, who have both had career success against Skenes, to lead the charge. For two MLB teams in the same division, these head-to-head battles are always intense. To see who our experts think will win, check out our daily MLB picks