Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals: Game Preview, Odds, and Pitching Matchup for August 26, 2025

Tuesday, August 26th, 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals: Game Preview and Key Insights

The Pittsburgh Pirates (57-75, fifth in the NL Central) travel to face the St. Louis Cardinals (65-67, fourth in the NL Central) at Busch Stadium on Tuesday at 6:45PM. This crucial divisional matchup marks the 11th meeting between these teams in the 2025 MLB season, with the series currently tied at 5-5.

Pitching Probables

On the mound for Pittsburgh will be Mitch Keller, who has posted a 5-12 record with a 4.34 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts this season. The Cardinals counter with Andre Pallante, holding a 6-11 record, 5.17 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts.

Weather

Today at Busch Stadium, expect warm conditions with temperatures in the low 80s, partly cloudy skies, and a very low chance of precipitation—ideal for baseball. Winds are light out of the southwest at 5-10 mph, providing minimal impact on play.

Team Performance and Recent Form

The Cardinals are 65-67 on the season and have shown strong form at home, boasting a 36-30 record at Busch Stadium. St. Louis holds a dominant 43-12 record in games where they tally more hits than their opponents. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has struggled on the road with an 18-45 record away from home and is 57-75 overall. Notably, the Pirates are 30-8 in games when they score five or more runs.

In their most recent contest, Alec Burleson led the Cardinals’ offense with four hits against the Pirates. Burleson continues to anchor the lineup with a .291 average, 21 doubles, a triple, 16 home runs, 33 walks, and 60 RBI. Over the past ten games, Lars Nootbaar has chipped in, going 12-for-42 with three RBI.

Team Comparison: Last 10 Games

Cardinals: 4-6 record, .249 batting average, 5.90 ERA, outscored by 10 runs.
Pirates: 6-4 record, .255 batting average, 2.68 ERA, outscored opponents by 14 runs.

Injury Report

Cardinals: Brendan Donovan (groin, 10-Day IL), Victor Scott II (ankle, 10-Day IL), Nolan Arenado (shoulder, 10-Day IL), Zack Thompson (lat, 60-Day IL).
Pirates: Oneil Cruz (concussion, 7-Day IL), Endy Rodriguez (elbow, 60-Day IL), Enmanuel Valdez (shoulder, 60-Day IL), Justin Lawrence (elbow, 60-Day IL), Tim Mayza (shoulder, 60-Day IL), Jared Jones (elbow, 60-Day IL).

Game Odds

The Cardinals are favored at -131, while the Pirates are set at +110. The over/under for total runs is set at 8.

In summary

As the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals face off in a pivotal NL Central matchup at Busch Stadium, both teams look to gain an edge with solid pitching and timely hitting. Mitch Keller and Andre Pallante headline the pitching duel, while Alec Burleson and Lars Nootbaar aim to keep the Cardinals’ offense rolling. Warm, clear weather sets the stage for an exciting game as the season series hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for live updates and post-game analysis as the race in the NL Central heats up in late August.

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