St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Pick & Prediction for 4/28

MLB game preview

The St. Louis Cardinals will play against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Cardinals have a record of 15-13 and are ranked fourth in the NL Central. They recently won a game and have a road record of 8-5. Kyle Leahy will start for the Cardinals, carrying a 2-3 record with a 5.62 ERA.

The Pirates, with a 16-13 record, are third in the division. They have lost their last two games and hold a home record of 8-6. Bubba Chandler will take the mound for the Pirates, with a 1-2 record and a 4.88 ERA. The game will start at 6:40 PM, and the weather is expected to be overcast with a light breeze.

St. Louis Cardinals Team Preview

The St. Louis Cardinals have had a mixed set of results in their recent games. On April 27th, they managed to secure a win against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a score of 4-2. Dustin May played a key role as the starting pitcher, going six innings and allowing just two earned runs.

In the previous games against the Seattle Mariners, the Cardinals faced some challenges. They lost three consecutive games, with scores of 3-2, 11-9, and 3-2. Despite these losses, Nathan Church and Pedro Pagés showed strong performances, hitting home runs in these games.

As the Cardinals prepare for their next game, they will rely on key players like JJ Wetherholt and Jordan Walker. Wetherholt has six home runs this season, and Walker has eight. Kyle Leahy is set to start as the pitcher, and he has a season record of 2-3 with a 5.62 ERA.

Cardinals vs Pirates Game Day Info

  • Sport: MLB
  • Teams: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
  • Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Cardinals +133, Pirates -161

Pittsburgh Pirates Team Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a mix of outcomes in their recent games. They lost to the St. Louis Cardinals on April 27th by a score of 4-2. Despite the loss, Nick Gonzales performed well with three hits, including a double.

Earlier in the week, the Pirates faced the Milwaukee Brewers in a series of games. They won the game on April 25th with a score of 6-3. Nick Gonzales and Konnor Griffin both contributed with multiple hits in this win.

The Pirates’ hitting stats for the 2026 season show some strengths. Their team batting average is .241, placing them 12th in the league. They also rank high in on-base percentage, sitting 10th with a .324 mark.

BTB Betting Pick

The Pirates are the recommended moneyline pick at -161. Their strong pitching with a 3.36 ERA, which ranks 4th, gives them an edge over the Cardinals. The Cardinals’ pitching ranks 27th with a 4.77 ERA, making it hard for them to contain the Pirates’ lineup.

For the total, the recommendation is to go under 8.0 at -105. The Pirates’ pitching has been effective, with a batting average against of .217, which ranks 3rd. This suggests a lower-scoring game, as the Cardinals might struggle to score runs against the Pirates’ pitchers.