The Pittsburgh Pirates (71-78) take over the St. Louis Cardinals (74-75) Monday in the opening game of a 4-game set at Busch Stadium at 7:45 p.m. ET. Let’s check out BetMGM Sportsbook’s MLB odds around the Pirates vs Cardinals Opportunities and place your best bets with our expert MLB tips and predictions.

Season series: Cardinals lead 5-4

The Pirates avoided a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals with a 4-3 win on Sunday at Pick-Em odds of practically -108. 3B Isiah Kiner-Falefa went 3-for-5 with an RBI as the Bucs improved to 5-2 in their last 7 games.

The Cardinals’ playoff hopes took a major blow over the weekend when they fell to the Toronto Blue Jays in 3 innings. The Cards lost 4-3 in 11 innings on Friday, 7-2 on Saturday and 3-2 on Sunday – St. Louis was a small underdog in all 3 games. The recurring theme was the same as all year – they had trouble scoring and getting runners in scoring position. The Cards have lost 5 of their last 7 games.

Expected starters for Pirates at Cardinals

RHP Paul Skenes against RHP André Pallante

Skenes (10-2, 2.10 ERA) is making his 21st start. The rookie has a WHIP of 0.99, 2.3 BB/9 and 11.3 K/9 in 120 innings.

• Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 9 K in the 3-2 home win on September 9th
• Away splits: 4-1, 1.49 ERA (48 1/3 IP, 8 ER), 0.87 WHIP, 12.7 K/9 in 8 starts
• Career vs. Cardinals: 0-1, 1.23 ERA (14 2/3 IP, 2 ER), 9 H, 1 HR, 0 BB, 16 K in 2 starts (both this season)

Pallante (6-8, 4.13 ERA) is making his 18th start (27th appearance). He has a 1.40 WHIP, 4.0 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 in 102 1/3 innings.

• Last start: Loss, 5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 5 BB, 6 K in 0-3 home loss to Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday
• Home Splits: 4-5, 4.73 ERA (53 1/3 IP, 28 ER), 1.52 WHIP, 7.1 K/9 in 13 games (9 starts)
• Career against Pirates: 0-1, 3.33 ERA (27 IP, 10 ER), 1.26 WHIP, 4.3 K/9 in 15 games (2 starts)
• Career starts against Pirates: 0-0, 1.38 ERA (13 IP, 2 ER), 0.77 WHIP, 8 K in 2 starts (both this season)

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Pirates vs Cardinals – Odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; visit the USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds Hub for a complete list of MLB odds. Odds last updated at 4:19 p.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Pirates -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Cardinals +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
• Running Line (RL)/Against the Spread (ATS): Pirates -1.5 (+120) | Cardinals +1.5 (-145)
• Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Tips and predictions for the Pirates at the Cardinals

forecast

Pirates 4, Cardinals 2

Money line

The Cardinals have a strange habit of keeping up with their competition. But Pallante looked exhausted. In his last two starts, he has allowed eight earned runs in 10 innings. If he allows half of that, he’ll be done for against Skenes.

TAKE PIRATES (-145).

Running Line/Against the Spread

Of Pittsburgh’s 4 wins against St. Louis this year, only one was by multiple runs. While I’m predicting a multiple run win, I’m BETTING ON PAUL SKENES OVER 6.5 K’S (-120). He had 8 Ks in each of his two starts against the Cardinals.

Over/Under

The books have it nailed. In both of Skenes’ matches against the Cards this year, the finals were 2-1 – 1 win and 1 loss. The wild card is Pallante, who looks in good shape with his terrible control.

SLIM UNDER 7 (-105) or stay away.

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