St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Predictions May 5th 2025

Pirates Look to Snap Slide and Spark Offense in St. Louis

It’s been a tough ride for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the road doesn’t get any easier as they open a three-game set on Monday night against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Sitting at just 12-23 on the season, Pittsburgh finds itself in last place in the NL Central and with the third-worst record in the majors. The offense has been the biggest issue, ranking bottom three in nearly every key metric — including runs scored (114), home runs (25), and OPS (.641).

And if that’s not enough, they’ve been shut out a league-high six times, including a 4-0 loss to the Padres on Sunday — their fourth straight defeat and seventh loss in eight games.

Keep tabs on all team trends and matchups on the MLB Team Page.

Derek Shelton Still Searching for Solutions

Manager Derek Shelton hasn’t been shy about the fact that this lineup needs a serious jolt. After several lineup shakeups and no results, the frustration is setting in.

“We’re mixing things up, trying different things,” Shelton said. “Right now we don’t have a formula, and we’ve got to figure it out.”

Injuries have only made things harder. Nick Gonzales and Spencer Horwitz remain sidelined, and now Isiah Kiner-Falefa joins them on the IL with a right hamstring strain.

Still, the team isn’t making excuses. Veteran Bryan Reynolds, who’s batting just .232, knows there’s more in the tank

Want to get ahead of Pittsburgh’s bounce-back potential? Check out expert insights on the MLB Pick Page.

Mlodzinski Gets the Nod, Eyes Another Strong Start vs Cards

Carmen Mlodzinski (1-3, 6.58 ERA) takes the mound for the Bucs, and while his overall numbers aren’t pretty, he’s actually done very well against St. Louis in his career.

In eight appearances (one start) against the Cardinals, Mlodzinski is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA. His only start came on April 7, when he allowed just one run over five innings in an 8-4 Pirates win.

The right-hander will need to be sharp again as Pittsburgh looks to avoid sinking further in the standings. For more context on matchup history, visit the MLB Odds Page.

Cardinals Look for First Three-Game Win Streak Since March

Meanwhile, the Cardinals are aiming to build some momentum after sweeping a doubleheader against the Mets on Sunday — a pair of gritty one-run victories that brought a rare series win for St. Louis.

Center fielder Victor Scott II played the hero in Game 2, driving in a run and robbing Juan Soto of a three-run homer with a leaping catch at the wall. The 24-year-old is enjoying a solid sophomore campaign, batting .286 with two homers and 15 RBIs through 31 games.

“Confidence is a big factor… That’s kind of the product I’ve been rolling out there,” Scott said.

He’s now on a five-game hit streak, and his improved approach is helping stabilize the Cardinals’ outfield production.

To learn more about how hot hitters like Scott impact betting trends, visit the Expert MLB Betting Guide.

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Mikolas Looks to Stay Sharp Against Slumping Pirates

St. Louis sends Miles Mikolas (1-2, 4.66 ERA) to the mound. The veteran right-hander has faced the Pirates more than any other team — and with good reason. In 23 career appearances (20 starts), he’s 5-6 but holds a tidy 2.90 ERA against Pittsburgh.

His mix of soft contact and strike-throwing could be just what the Cards need to neutralize an already cold Pirates lineup.

If Mikolas continues his success against Pittsburgh, and the Cards’ bats keep trending up, St. Louis could walk away with their first three-game win streak since opening week.

What’s at Stake?

For the Pirates, it’s simple: find some offense or face a potential season spiral before May even ends. For St. Louis, this series could be a springboard — the kind that helps a .500 team turn the corner.

Both squads are still figuring things out, but momentum favors the Cardinals entering Monday night.

FAQs

What’s Pittsburgh’s current losing streak?
The Pirates have lost four straight and seven of their last eight games.

Why is the Pirates offense struggling?
They rank near the bottom in runs, home runs, average, and OPS, and have been shut out six times — the most in MLB.

Who’s starting for the Pirates?
Carmen Mlodzinski, who owns a 1.38 ERA in eight career appearances vs. the Cardinals.

How has Miles Mikolas performed against the Pirates?
He has a 2.90 ERA in 23 career appearances against Pittsburgh, despite a 5-6 record.

Which Cardinals player is heating up?
Victor Scott II is on a five-game hit streak and showing increased confidence at the plate.

Where can I find expert MLB picks?
Check out our MLB Pick Page and Expert Guide for top insights.