Overview
The Pittsburgh Pirates take on the St. Louis Cardinals in the second game of a four-game series on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 7:45 PM EDT at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The sports card above confirms the game time and network (SNEP). The Pirates are riding a four-game winning streak after sweeping the Colorado Rockies 18-1 over the weekend, while the Cardinals lost 10-8 to the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. The Pirates lead the 2025 season series 5-4, including a 1-0 win on July 1. This NL Central matchup is crucial for the Pirates to maintain their momentum and for the Cardinals to snap a five-game home losing streak. Fans seeking a winning edge can rely on this expert preview, featuring player insights, pitching matchups, and a prediction—unlock more game-changing tips with our exclusive MLB strategies now!
Team Analysis
Pittsburgh Pirates
- 2025 Record (as of August 25): 57-74, 5th in NL Central
- Performance Overview: The Pirates are 6-4 in their last 10 games, averaging 4.8 runs/game with a .260 batting average and a 3.21 ERA. Bryan Reynolds’ 63 RBI and Oneil Cruz’s 18 HRs lead the offense, but injuries to Oneil Cruz (SS, concussion, 7-day IL), Endy Rodriguez (C, elbow, 60-day IL), and Jared Jones (SP, elbow, 60-day IL) test their depth.
- Strengths: Strong pitching (3.21 ERA in last 10 games) and a 38-23 record when recording 8+ hits.
- Weaknesses: Poor road record (18-44) and a 4-6 record against the spread in their last 10 games.
- Player to Watch: Bryan Reynolds (LF) – His .260 BA, 63 RBI, and .300 BA with a homer in his last 5 games make him a key offensive driver.
St. Louis Cardinals
- 2025 Record (as of August 25): 64-67, 4th in NL Central
- Performance Overview: The Cardinals are 3-7 in their last 10 games, averaging 4.5 runs/game with a .244 batting average and a 6.00 ERA. Alec Burleson’s .285 BA and Willson Contreras’ 70 RBI lead the offense, but injuries to Masyn Winn (SS, day-to-day, undisclosed), Brendan Donovan (INF, groin, 10-day IL), and Nolan Arenado (3B, shoulder, 10-day IL) weaken their lineup.
- Strengths: Solid home offense (47-13 when scoring 5+ runs) and a 35-30 home record.
- Weaknesses: Struggling pitching (6.00 ERA in last 10 games) and a five-game home losing streak.
- Player to Watch: Alec Burleson (LF) – His .285 BA, 15 HRs, and 10-for-35 with a homer in his last 10 games make him a consistent threat.
Head-to-Head Record
- Historical Context: The Pirates lead the 2025 season series 5-4, with wins including a 1-0 victory on July 1 (Henry Davis’ sacrifice fly) and a 7-0 rout on June 30 (Andrew Heaney’s near no-hitter). The Cardinals won 6-3 on May 5, with Contreras’ go-ahead homer.
- Recent Encounter: On July 1, the Pirates won 1-0, with Paul Skenes’ 5 scoreless innings and Davis’ clutch sacrifice fly outshining Andre Pallante.
- Key Insight: The Pirates’ pitching has stifled the Cardinals’ offense in recent games, but St. Louis’ home power can exploit Pittsburgh’s road struggles.
Pitching Matchups Table
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | Innings Pitched | Strikeouts | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pirates | Mitch Keller (RHP) | 3-10 | 3.90 | 159.1 | 151 | 1.28 |
| Cardinals | Steven Matz (LHP) | 5-7 | 4.64 | 108.2 | 84 | 1.37 |
Strengths and Negatives of Pitchers
- Mitch Keller (Pirates):
- Steven Matz (Cardinals):
- Strengths: Decent 4.64 ERA, 7.0 K/9, and a 3.86 ERA in his last 3 starts (14 IP, 6 ER). His sinker-curveball combo induces groundballs (45% GB rate).
- Negatives: Vulnerability to power hitters (1.3 HR/9) and a 5.40 ERA vs. the Pirates this season could be exploited by Reynolds and Andrew McCutchen.
Key Players to Monitor
- Pittsburgh Pirates:
- St. Louis Cardinals:
Recent Performance
- Pittsburgh Pirates: At 57-74, the Pirates are 6-4 in their last 10, scoring 48 runs while allowing 32, with their pitching staff excelling (3.21 ERA) and offense clicking during their four-game win streak.
- St. Louis Cardinals: At 64-67, the Cardinals are 3-7 in their last 10, scoring 45 runs and allowing 60, with their pitching struggling (6.00 ERA) and offense unable to overcome a five-game home skid.
Critical Factors
- Venue: Busch Stadium’s neutral dimensions (4.00 park ERA) favor both teams’ power bats, especially Reynolds and Contreras.
- Weather: Forecasted at 87°F with mostly sunny skies and light southwest winds (6-10 mph), ideal for a competitive game but with a slight impact on fly balls.
- Momentum: The Pirates’ four-game win streak and 5-4 series lead contrast with the Cardinals’ 3-7 run and five-game home losing streak.
- Betting Odds: Cardinals favored at -138, with over/under at 8.0, reflecting their home edge despite recent struggles.
Prediction
The Pittsburgh Pirates hold a slight edge in this matchup, driven by Mitch Keller’s 3.90 ERA and recent dominance against the Cardinals (2.57 ERA in last 3 starts) compared to Steven Matz’s 4.64 ERA and struggles vs. Pittsburgh (5.40 ERA). The Cardinals’ offense, led by Burleson and Contreras, could exploit Keller’s road inconsistencies, but the Pirates’ hot pitching and Reynolds’ bat should prevail. Pittsburgh’s bullpen, with David Bednar, will likely secure the win to extend their series lead.
Final Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates win, 5-3. Reynolds drives in 2 runs, and Keller pitches six strong innings.
Best Bets
- Moneyline: Pittsburgh Pirates (+115) – Keller’s edge and the Pirates’ momentum make them a value pick.
- Under 8.0 Runs – Busch Stadium’s neutral setup and the Pirates’ strong pitching suggest a lower-scoring game.
- Bryan Reynolds to Record an RBI (+125) – His .260 BA and recent form offer strong value against Matz.
This preview, based on the latest trends and stats as of August 25, 2025, delivers expert, trustworthy, and engaging content for MLB fans. Watch live on SNEP, as noted in the sports card above.
