St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Picks and Predictions May 6th 2025

Skenes, Pirates Aim to Stop Slide vs Cardinals

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in a tailspin — and it’s going to take more than just solid hitting to pull them out of it. On Tuesday night, they’ll hand the ball to Paul Skenes, their young ace, in hopes of ending a painful losing streak when they face the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals.

St. Louis has now won three straight and is brimming with confidence after rallying past the Pirates in the series opener. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has dropped five in a row and eight of their last nine. With their season slipping, Skenes is the guy they hope can flip the script.

Check the latest matchups, odds, and expert picks on the MLB Picks Page at Scores and Stats.

Paul Skenes: Searching for a Bounce-Back

Skenes is coming off his shortest outing of the season, and it wasn’t pretty. In a loss to the Cubs, he lasted just five innings, issued four walks (tying his career high), and gave up a career-worst three home runs. He struck out only two.

“Execution wasn’t there,” Skenes admitted. “Kind of spraying the ball… it is what it is.”

Despite the rough outing, his ERA still sits at a respectable 2.74, and his stuff is electric when he’s dialed in. The Pirates will need his best if they’re going to take one from a Cardinals team on the rise.

Stay updated on pitcher stats and team streaks at the MLB Scores & Odds section.

Cardinals Finding Their Rhythm

St. Louis came from behind to win 6-3 on Monday night, notching their third straight victory. They’ve been getting it done with timely hitting, clean defense, and steady pitching — a formula that could spell trouble for Pittsburgh if the Pirates don’t tighten things up.

One key contributor has been left-hander Matthew Liberatore, who gets the ball Tuesday night. Though his last start was shortened by a rain delay, his body of work this season is promising.

Liberatore Locked Into Rotation Role

Before the rain-halted outing against the Reds, Liberatore had made three straight quality starts, giving up just three earned runs over 18 2/3 innings with 17 strikeouts and two walks.

Having a consistent spot in the rotation has done wonders for his preparation.

“It’s given me a much more stable runway,” Liberatore said. “I’m maximizing my time instead of reacting to last-minute changes.”

His numbers against Pittsburgh historically aren’t great — a 1-3 record and 6.51 ERA in nine appearances — but he did pitch into the seventh inning in a previous start against them this season.

Want expert betting breakdowns and daily projections? Check out the Expert Betting Guide.

Access the Latest Sports Stats

Sign Up Today

Get Free Trial

Pirates’ Slump Runs Deep

There’s no sugarcoating it — Pittsburgh is in a rut. After a promising start to the season, the Bucs are hitting a wall, both on the mound and at the plate.

One bright spot? Oneil Cruz. While he was caught stealing for the first time in 35 attempts (a streak dating back to last season), Cruz made a highlight-reel play from center field — throwing out a runner at the plate to end a Cardinals rally.

Still, it’s going to take more than flashes of brilliance. The Pirates’ bullpen has been shaky, and their offense hasn’t done enough to support their starters.

Monitor game totals, player props, and key lineup news on the MLB Scores and Odds page.

Matchup Breakdown: Skenes vs Liberatore

This game is shaping up to be a chess match between two young arms.

• Paul Skenes: 3-3, 2.74 ERA, but has lost three of his last four starts. Struggled with walks and long balls last time out.
• Matthew Liberatore: 2-3, 3.44 ERA, trending up with multiple strong outings, but shaky track record vs. Pittsburgh.

Skenes is 0-3 with a 2.70 ERA against the Cardinals in his career, including a loss earlier this season when he gave up five runs in six innings.

If he can command the zone and avoid the walks, the Pirates have a shot. If not, this could be another long night for Pittsburgh.

What Pittsburgh Needs to Get Right

If the Pirates want to end this losing streak, they’ll need:

• Early production at the plate — they’ve been playing from behind too often.
• Tighter bullpen control — recent games have gotten away late.
• Paul Skenes to go deep and keep the Cardinals’ hitters off balance.

St. Louis, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on every misstep.

FAQs

Who is starting for the Pirates and Cardinals?
Paul Skenes will start for Pittsburgh. Matthew Liberatore gets the nod for St. Louis.

What was the result of the first game in the series?
The Cardinals rallied for a 6-3 win on Monday night, marking their third straight victory.

What is Paul Skenes’ record vs the Cardinals?
Skenes is 0-3 with a 2.70 ERA in four career starts against St. Louis.

How has Liberatore performed this season?
He has a 3.44 ERA and has been effective in his last few outings, delivering multiple quality starts.

Where can I find expert MLB picks and live odds?
Visit the MLB Picks Page and the MLB Scores and Odds page for daily analysis.