Cardinals aim to snap a five-game home skid against the Pirates in Monday’s showdown in St. Louis
The St. Louis Cardinals visit the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night for a 7:45 p.m. start in St. Louis. The matchup features right-handers Johan Oviedo for Pittsburgh and Michael McGreevy for the Cardinals. BetMGM sportsbook lists the Cardinals as slight favorites at -142 with the Pirates at +119, and the over-under set at eight runs.
Bottom line and context
St. Louis carries a 64-67 record overall and a 35-30 mark at home, hoping to reverse a recent home losing streak. The Cardinals have shown they can win when they plate five or more runs, posting a 47-13 record in those games. Pittsburgh sits at 57-74 on the year and 18-44 on the road, but the Pirates have a 38-23 record when they collect at least eight hits in a game. This marks the 10th meeting between the teams this season, with Pittsburgh leading the season series 5-4.
Key players to watch
On offense, the Cardinals lean on Alec Burleson, who has produced 20 doubles, a triple and 15 homers while batting .285. Willson Contreras has been hot recently, going 10-for-35 with a double and three homers over the last 10 games. For the Pirates, Oviedo will try to slow a Cardinals offense that has shown punch at home, while McGreevy will look to keep Pittsburgh’s offense in check.
Recent performance and trends
Over their last 10 games, the Cardinals went 3-7 with a .244 team batting average and a 6.00 team ERA, being outscored by 12 runs. The Pirates have been better in their last 10, going 6-4 with a .260 team batting average and a 3.21 ERA, outscoring opponents by eight runs. The Cardinals’ home performance is a focal point as they attempt to end the skid on their own turf.
Injuries and lineup notes
Cardinals: Masyn Winn is day-to-day with an undisclosed issue. Brendan Donovan is on the 10-day injured list with a groin strain, Victor Scott II is sidelined with an ankle issue, Nolan Arenado is on the 10-day IL with a shoulder, and Zack Thompson is on the 60-day IL with a lat injury. Pirates: Oneil Cruz on the 7-day IL with a concussion, Endy Rodríguez on the 60-day IL with an elbow injury, Enmanuel Valdez on the 60-day IL with a shoulder, Justin Lawrence on the 60-day IL with an elbow, Tim Mayza on the 60-day IL with a shoulder, and Jared Jones on the 60-day IL with an elbow.
Why this game matters
Both teams are trying to finish the season strong, but the Cardinals especially want to stabilize their home record and build momentum for a late push. The Pirates, despite a tough season overall, will look to leverage road opportunities and offensive bursts to derail St. Louis at home.
What to watch for
– How Oviedo adapts against a Cardinals lineup that features persistent run-producing threats at home.
– How McGreevy handles Pittsburgh’s lineup and if he can keep the Pirates under control with limited damage.
– The Cardinals’ ability to manufacture runs early, given their success when scoring five or more.
– The impact of the various injuries on both sides and which reserves rise to the occasion.
In a matchup where every run matters, expect a competitive game as St. Louis tries to turn their home schedule around and Pittsburgh seeks to steal a win on the road. A win would give the Cardinals a lift at home, while the Pirates will be aiming to upset the odds and keep pace in a tightly contested series.
Summary
Monday’s game in St. Louis features a pitching duel between Oviedo and McGreevy, with the Cardinals favored to snap their home skid. Both teams rely on timely hitting and bullpen depth to tilt the balance, with notable performances from Burleson and Contreras for St. Louis and a disciplined approach from Pittsburgh’s lineup to push across runs.
Note: This rewritten piece consolidates the provided statistics and scenario into a clear game preview suitable for publication.