Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals: Game Preview, Odds, and Pitching Matchup for August 27, 2025

Wednesday, August 27th, 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals Game Preview – August 27, 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates travel to Busch Stadium to take on the St. Louis Cardinals in a key NL Central matchup on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 6:45 PM local time. This will be the 12th meeting between the two rivals this season, with the Pirates currently holding a slim 6-5 edge in the season series.

Weather

At Busch Stadium today, expect warm and mostly sunny conditions with a high near 88°F. There is little to no chance of precipitation, ensuring a dry game. Winds will be light from the southwest at 5-10 mph, making for favorable conditions for both hitters and fielders.

Pitching Probables

The mound matchup features Carmen Mlodzinski (3-7, 3.89 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 70 strikeouts) starting for the Pittsburgh Pirates against veteran Sonny Gray (12-6, 4.33 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 161 strikeouts) for the St. Louis Cardinals. The current betting odds list the Cardinals as -187 favorites, with the Pirates at +156, and the over/under set at 7.5 runs.

Team Records and Season Series

St. Louis enters this contest with a 65-68 overall record and a 36-31 mark at home. Their pitching staff owns the 10th-best ERA in the National League at 4.33. The Pirates arrive with a 58-75 overall record and have struggled on the road, posting a 19-45 away record. When giving up home runs, the Pirates are just 19-52, highlighting a key factor to watch in this contest.

Top Performers

St. Louis Cardinals

Alec Burleson continues to be a consistent offensive threat, leading the Cardinals with a .291 batting average, alongside 21 doubles, a triple, 16 home runs, 33 walks, and 60 RBI. Lars Nootbaar has also contributed, going 11-for-41 with three RBI over his last ten games.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Bryan Reynolds has been a core part of Pittsburgh's offense, collecting 34 doubles, three triples, and 14 home runs this season. Jared Triolo has been hot recently, batting 14-for-33 with three doubles, a triple, and two homers in his last ten games.

Recent Team Performance

Over their last ten games, the Cardinals are 4-6 with a .240 team batting average and a 6.21 ERA, having been outscored by 14 runs. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 6-4 with a .266 team batting average, an impressive 2.79 ERA, and have outscored their opponents by 18 runs during that stretch.

Injury Report

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals are dealing with several injuries: Brendan Donovan (10-Day IL, groin), Victor Scott II (10-Day IL, ankle), Nolan Arenado (10-Day IL, shoulder), and Zack Thompson (60-Day IL, lat).

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates are also missing key players: Endy Rodriguez (60-Day IL, elbow), Enmanuel Valdez (60-Day IL, shoulder), Justin Lawrence (60-Day IL, elbow), Tim Mayza (60-Day IL, shoulder), and Jared Jones (60-Day IL, elbow).

In summary

The St. Louis Cardinals host the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 12 of their ongoing NL Central rivalry this Wednesday at Busch Stadium. Favorable weather is expected for fans and players alike, making for ideal playing conditions. Both teams are looking to gain momentum, with the Cardinals aiming to close the gap in the season series and the Pirates seeking to extend their recent winning trend. Key injuries and recent performance trends will play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of this matchup.

Related Links

• Pittsburgh Pirates News & Updates
• Pittsburgh Pirates Schedule & Scores
• St. Louis Cardinals News & Updates
• St. Louis Cardinals Schedule & Scores
• MLB News