So far, it has been business as usual for the Cardinals and Pirates. St. Louis has shown to be good enough to contend for the postseason but nothing more. Pittsburgh has revealed itself to be in a perpetual rebuild. On Friday night, the Pirates will host the Cardinals in the first game of an Apple TV doubleheader. St. Louis will be the favorite with the baseball betting odds. Cause by the Cardinals’ superior record and Pittsburgh’s perennial pathetic state. St. Louis has been the most profitable team in the National League Central. Pittsburgh is in the red as always.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates MLB
| Date and Time: | Friday, May 20, 2022, 6:35 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| TV Coverage: | Apple TV |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | -1½ (+110) | 8½ (-115) | -143 |  |
| Pirates | +1½ (-130) | 8½ (-105) | +133 | |
| ||||
SBG Odds Analysis – Cardinals Bring Brand and Advantageous Road Price
On the whole, the Cardinals are one of the biggest brands on the online betting board. St. Louis is in the playoff hunt almost every year and has one of baseball’s biggest fan bases. The Cardinals are a legacy franchise with a record of success that is impossible for gamblers to ignore. Especially casual bettors.
On the other hand, the Pirates are synonymous with small market woes. Pittsburgh ranks two spots higher than St. Louis for TV market size. Yet the Pirate ownership loves to cry poor when it comes to investing in their team’s roster. Years of losing have turned away casual gamblers. In like manner, Wise Guys struggle to find value with the Pirates.
Cardinals Perk Up in Chase of Milwaukee
Late on, the Cardinals have won three of their most recent four games. Three of those four games went under the total. St. Louis is 20-16 with 17-18-1 under the total. The Cardinals are 10-8 on the road with 6-12 under the total. Overall, the Cardinals rank 11th for run production, 17th for home runs, 8th for earned run average, and 6th for bullpen earned run average. The second place behind Milwaukee in the National League Central belongs to the Redbirds.
Pirates Ship is Taking on Red Water
Of great concern is that Pittsburgh has lost four of their most recent six games. Only two of their last nine games went over the total. Pittsburgh is 15-21 with 14-17-5 under the total. Specifically, at home, the Pirates are 9-10 with 7-10-2 under the total. Pittsburgh ranks 27th for run production, 25th for home runs, 27th for earned run average, 26th for bullpen earned run average, and 28th for fewest errors committed.
Cardinals Hold Edge on the Hill
Righty Adam Wainwright is the probable starter for the Cardinals. So far, Wainwright is 4-3 with a 3.15 earned run average and 1.23 WHIP. Last year Wainwright was 17-7 with a 3.05 earned run average and 1.06 WHIP. Giovanny Gallegos has seven saves in eight opportunities.
Righty Zach Thompson is the probable Pittsburgh starter. In sum, Thompson is 2-3 with a 5.47 earned run average and 1.52 WHIP. That is a steep decline from 2021 when Thompson had a 3.24 earned run average and 1.21 WHIP for the Marlins.
Cardinals at Pirates SBG Free Pick
In this situation, the Cardinals have all the advantages with the MLB odds. Pittsburgh is outclassed at the plate and even more on the mound.
Cardinals at Pirates SBG Best Bet: St. Louis Cardinals.