MLB Predictions: Can Pirates complete sweep of Cardinals? 6/25/17
Can the Pirates complete their sweep of the Cardinals when the NL Central rivals complete their series tonight on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball?
The Odds: Pirates vs. Cardinals, 8:05PM ET, Busch Stadium
Pittsburgh enters play tonight with a 35-40 record overall and a 16-22 mark on the road. They’ve split over their last 10 games, picking up back-to-back wins over the past two nights in St. Louis.
St. Louis, meanwhile, is just 33-40 on the year and 18-20 at home. The Cardinals have dropped seven of their last 10 games and have found zero traction after a short, hot burst in May when they won six consecutive games on the road. All of the losing has amounted to people in St. Louis wondering if the Cards should be sellers at the deadline.
As for the odds, the Cardinals are -150 money line favorites to beat the Pirates tonight. Pittsburgh is a +135 underdog on the money line and the over/under total sits at 8.5 runs.
The Pitching Matchup: Chad Kuhl (PIT) vs. Mike Leake (STL)
Kuhl’s last start came in Milwaukee where he pitched five innings of two-run ball. He scattered seven hits in the process, while striking out six and walking two. He picked up his first win of the season and is now 2-6. The veteran owns a 5.46 ERA.
On the other side is Leake, who hasn’t won a decision in his last five starts. He earned a no-decision while pitching six innings of one-run ball against the Phillies last week. He struck out five and walked two as the Cardinals went on to win the game, 8-1. Leake will carry a 5-6 record and a 3.03 ERA into tonight’s matchup with the Pirates.
Our Prediction
The Pirates are just 1-4 in Kuhl’s last five starts and have dropped six of his last seven outings on the road. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are 9-3 in their last 12 games against the Pirates and 7-2 in their last nine home games versus Pittsburgh despite losing the last two nights. St. Louis should be able to salvage one win versus its division rivals.
Sunday MLB Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals -150
