Friday, April 25, 8:15 PM on ROOT, FSMW

Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

Pittsburgh Pirates - Cole, G (2-1) vs. St Louis Cardinals - Miller, S (1-2)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Pittsburgh Pirates starter Gerrit Cole will be going up against St. Louis Cardinals righty Shelby Miller on Friday in a battle of two of the better young pitchers in the National League.

Gerrit Cole had a fantastic outing this past Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers, but he ended up with the no decision rather than the win. He went eight strong innings in that game and gave up just one earned run on six hits while striking out six and walking one. Through 27 innings this season, Cole has a 3.67 ERA and has 22 strikeouts.

Third baseman Matt Carpenter is Cole has two hits and a walk in four plate appearances against Cole, with one of those hits being a home run. Matt Holliday has two hits and a strikeout in three matchups against the big right-hander.

Shelby Miller had issues with his command against the Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon and was only able to go 5.1 innings. He gave up no runs on four hits in that game while striking out seven Washington batters, but he also walked seven, which led to a no decision. He now owns a 3.57 ERA on the season, but he definitely needs to lower his 5.6 BB/9 ratio.

Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez may only have three hits against Miller in 13 at-bats, but all three of those hits were home runs.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Pirates are 10-9-2 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Pittsburgh Pirates is 0

St Louis Cardinals Betting Trends

St Louis Cardinals are 8-11-2 against the Over/Under

Run differential for St Louis Cardinals is 0.6

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh Pirates

04/23/14 P Wandy Rodriguez Knee 15-day DL (4/21)

St Louis Cardinals

04/23/14 P Adam Wainwright Knee is upgraded to expected to start Sunday vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
04/17/14 P Joe Kelly Hamstring 15-day DL (4/17)
03/30/14 P Jaime Garcia Shoulder 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Jason Motte Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)

Josh's Pick: Take Pittsburgh

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald