Tuesday, September 29, 2015

PNC Park

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Michael Wacha (17-6) vs. Charlie Morton (9-8)

The Pittsburgh Pirates welcome the St. Louis Cardinals to PNC Park on Tuesday. The Cardinals send Michael Wacha to the mound to face Charlie Morton of the Pirates. The opening line for this matchup has St. Louis at -113 and Pittsburgh at +103. The over/under was set at 7.5. The Cardinals, with a 79-77 run line record, cover the spread 51% of the time. They also have a 64-81 over/under record. The Pirates have a 72-72 over/under record and a 70-86 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 45% of the time.

The Cardinals head into this matchup with a 98-58 record, including 43-32 on the road. Starting pitcher Michael Wacha holds a 17-6 record with an earned run average of 3.15 and a WHIP of 1.20. The Cardinals are 21-8 over his 177.1 innings pitched and he's also given up 158 hits over that time period. The Cardinals are also 15-13 against the over/under in his starts. He is getting 5.2 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 2.77 and they've given up 423 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .238 against the Cardinals bullpen while walking 172 times and striking out 442 times. St. Louis is averaging 8.14 strikeouts per game while getting 8.34 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 1st in baseball in team earned run average at 2.91.

As a team, St. Louis is batting .255, good for 12th in the league while putting together a .247 average away from home. Ranked at 12th in the league in on-base percentage, the Cardinals sit at .323 and they hold a .396 team slugging percentage. Jhonny Peralta leads the team in hits with 155 while the team ranks 13th in baseball with 8.64 hits per game.

With a 50-25 home record, Pittsburgh will hope to improve on their 95-61 overall mark. With an earned run average of 4.54, Charlie Morton will come into this game holding a 9-8 record and a 1.36 WHIP. The Pirates have a record of 14-8 over the 127 innings he's pitched during which he's given up 133 hits. The Pirates are also 9-11 against the over/under in his starts. He is getting 4.7 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 2.64 and they have given up 430 hits on the season. Opposing teams are hitting .230 against the Pirates bullpen while walking 152 times and striking out 438 times. Pittsburgh is averaging 8.08 strikeouts per game while getting 8.44 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 2nd in the league in team earned run average at 3.22.

As a team, they are batting .261, good for 8th in the league while putting together a .261 average at home. Ranked at 9th in the league in on-base percentage, the Pirates sit at .324 and they hold a .397 team slugging percentage. Starling Marte leads the team in hits with 160 while the team ranks 7th in baseball with 9.08 hits a game.

The Cardinals have committed 92 errors and have combined for 1,558 assists and 4,244 put outs leading to a .984 team fielding percentage. The Pirates have committed 117 errors on the season with 1,798 assists and 4,298 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .981 on the year.

St. Louis Cardinals Betting Trends

The St. Louis Cardinals are 64-81 against the over/under so far this season

The St. Louis Cardinals are 79-77 against the run line so far this season

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 72-72 against the over/under so far this season

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 70-86 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

St. Louis Cardinals

09/26/15 P Carlos Martinez Shoulder out for season
09/21/15 C Yadier Molina Thumb out indefinitely
09/12/15 C Cody Stanley Suspension expected to miss 80 games
05/03/15 P Jordan Walden Bicep Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/30)
04/28/15 P Adam Wainwright Achilles Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/25); out for season

Pittsburgh Pirates

09/17/15 SS Jung Ho Kang Knee Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (9/21); out for season
09/02/15 P Casey Sadler Forearm Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (9/1)
08/08/15 P Deolis Guerra Knee Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (8/7)
07/19/15 CF Gorkys Hernandez Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/13)
06/24/15 RF Corey Hart Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (6/22)
05/07/15 LF Andrew Lambo Plantar Fasciitis Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/4)
04/06/15 P Brandon Cumpton Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Josh's Pick: Take the Cardinals

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