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Free MLB Pick: Cardinals vs Pirates Odds
Looking for St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates free picks? MLB betting sees the Cardinals taking on the Pirates on Sunday, April 4, 2016 at the PNC Park Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLB baseball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily MLB predictions.
(0-0) St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (0-0)
Date: Sunday, April 3, 2016
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Venue: PNC Park Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
MLB Moneyline Odds: Cardinals -105 / Pirates -115
MLB RunLine Betting Odds: OFF
MLB Betting Total: 6.5
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The MLB season’s opening pitch begins in Pittsburgh between a couple of big time NL Central rivals with the Pirates hosting the Cardinals.
Both of these teams made the playoffs last season and the Cardinals led the Majors with 100 wins. There are high expectations for St. Louis this season, especially since they have Adam Wainwright back, as he missed most of last season with an Achilles injury.
In Sprint Training the Cardinals went 11-13 and the Pirates really struggled going 8-20, which was the 2nd fewest wins in the spring.
St. Louis Cardinals
Even though Wainwright misses most of last season the Cardinals still led the Majors in team ERA. Their pitching had to be solid since they only ranked 24th in the Majors in runs scored.
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While Wainwright missed most of last season in his limited action he was solid going 2-1 with an ERA of only 1.61. In his last full season in 2014 he was a 20-game winner and had a solid ERA of only 2.38.
The Cardinals are 7-2 in Wainwright’s last 9 starts facing the Pirates, but they are 0-4 in their last 4 games with him on the mound in Pittsburgh.
The offense has talent with the likes of Matt Carpenter and Jhonny Peralta, but their lineup is still a concern, especially since Jayson Heyward is now with the Cubs.
Last season the Cardinals were 45-36 on the road.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Last season the Pirates had a legit offense ranking 11th in the Majors in runs scored, but they also led the NL Central in in team batting average, on-base percentage, hits and runs scored.
Andrew McCutchen is their team leader, but while Pittsburgh does have a solid lineup they did not make any big off-season additions to help their offense.
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McCutchen won the MVP in 2014 and while he got off to a slow start last season he finished well with 23 HR and 96 RBI.
Pedro Alvarez led the team win HR (27), but he only hit .243 and he will be counted on to hit for a better average and knock in more runs this season.
The Pirates were right behind the Cardinals ranking 2nd in the Majors in team ERA last season. While Gerrit Cole is their Ace Francisco Liriano will get the start in this season opener and last season he went 12-7 with an ERA of 3.38.
One of the reasons Liriano is getting the start is that the game is in Pittsburgh and the Pirates have won their last 11 home games when he has gotten the start.
In another interesting trend the Pirates are 5-0 in Liriano’s last 5 starts during Game 1 of a series.
The Pirates were 53-28 at home last season and they had the 3rd most home wins in the NL.
MLB Baseball Betting Trends:
- Cardinals are 1-6 in their last 7 overall.
- Cardinals are 0-5 in their last 5 road games.
- Cardinals have an Over record of 5-1 in Wainwright’s last 6 road starts.
- Pirates are 11-5 in their last 16 overall.
- Pirates are 44-20 in their last 64 home games.
- Pirates are 19-7 in Liriano’s last 26 starts.
Free St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates MLB Prediction:
These teams played each other close last season, as the Cardinals were 10-9 facing the Pirates. The Pirates won 6 of their 10 home games facing the Cardinals last season.
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I have to go with Pittsburgh at this one with Liriano on the mound at home. On top of that Wainright may be a little rusty, as his last Spring Training game was rained out. On top of that dating back to last season the Cardinals have lost their last 6 games on the road.
MLB Free Score Prediction: Pittsburgh 5 – St. Louis 3
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