The Pittsburgh Pirates are the second-best team in MLB. Unfortunately the team in front of them is NL Central rival St. Louis. The two collide with first place on the line.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Cardinals were on the verge of losing another game Wednesday before Jhonny Peralta gave them a lift with two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning, lifting St. Louis to a comeback 6-5 win over Chicago. The Cards had lost six of nine and saw their lead in the division dwindle to 4.5 games, but they pulled out the win to earn a split the series with the Cubs. The momentum carried over with a 4-1 win over the Pirates Thursday in the first of a critical four-game set leading into the All-Star break. The Cards remain the most profitable team in baseball, in the black 21.40 units.
The Pirates are looking to make a statement and have had little success against the team that has kept them from winning the division in each of the last two seasons. Pittsburgh entered the series having won five straight games and eight of their last nine, but dropped the series opener 4-1 on Thursday, losing to the Cards for the fifth time in seven games this season. The teams played below the scoreline Thursday and the under is 5-2 in the first seven series games. The under is also 5-1-1 in Pittsburgh’s last seven games and 3-1 in A.J. Burnett’s last four home starts.
PITCHING MATCHUP
John Lackey (7-5, 3.09 ERA) hurled seven shutout innings to earn the win against the Cubs on Monday and has been brilliant in his last two road starts, giving up just one earned run over 14 innings picking up a pair of wins. He’s thrown seven or more innings in seven of his last eight starts and has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last five.
Lackey helped the Cards to a win over Pittsburgh on May 2 by allowing one run over six innings. He’s 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in two previous starts at PNC Park.
A.J. Burnett (7-3, 1.99 ERA) allowed one run over 7.2 innings but took a no-decision in a win over San Diego on Monday. The first time All-Star has pitched at least six innings in each of his last six starts and has been masterful at home, going 2-2 with a 1.28 ERA in eight starts at PNC Park.
Burnett allowed two hits over six shutout innings with seven Ks on May 1 in his only start against St. Louis this season. He took a no-decision in a 2-1 Cards win and is 9-6 with a 3.68 ERA in 19 career starts against them.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“I think every win can be huge, but sometimes the way in which you do it definitely adds a little emphasis. Man, I just love when these guys don’t give up. I don’t know if I get any more of a charge out of this game than seeing guys get knocked down and watch how they respond, and who steps up and does something special.” – Cardinals manager Mike Matheny following Wednesday’s comeback win in Chicago.
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
Jung Ho Kang became the most important man in Pittsburgh. With third baseman Josh Harrison on the disabled list with an injury to his left hand, Kang becomes a pivotal figure and says he’s up to the task of playing on a regular basis. Kang had been splitting time at shortstop with Jordy Mercer but will likely see the bulk of the action at third base after Harrison was put on the DL for the first time in his career with a thumb injury sustained Sunday while sliding into second base. Kang started all four games at third following Harrison’s injury, hitting .285 with a double, triple and two RBIs. He’s hitting .259 through 69 games this season and was the MVP of the Korean Baseball Organization in 2014 belting 40 homers with a .356 average in 117 games.
PROP TALK
Mark Reynolds has never hit for a high average, his best season was his rookie year when he batted .279 with Arizona and he hits .229 in 4,016 career at-bats. But he does have some power, which is probably why he still has a job. He’ll face a team and pitcher he’s had plenty of success against when he steps in against A.J. Burnett. Reynolds has a .385 lifetime average against Burnett with three of his five hits leaving the yard, and hits .330 in 103 career at-bats at PNC Park.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Pirates lost Josh Harrison with a thumb injury and Starling Marte hasn’t played in four games with an oblique strain, leaving the lineup void of two potent bats. The chore of facing the best staff in baseball is hard enough, but having to do it without two big sticks makes it that much more difficult. Marte is on the mend and will likely be in the lineup over the weekend, giving the Bucs a shot against John Lackey, who has a .268 opponent’s batting average and 4.60 ERA on the road this season.
Pittsburgh 4, St. Louis 3
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this nationally-televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2015, at 7:15 p.m. ET at PNC Park. The matchup will be televised regionally on FOX.
