<p>
The 33-40 Pittsburgh Pirates open a three-game set in St. Louis against the 33-38 St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri tonight. The first pitch for the opener at Busch Stadium is scheduled for 8:15 PM ET.
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<p>
The host Cardinals are taking the early money driving St. Louis up to as high as -130 on the moneyline on some boards. The total line for the first game of this three game weekend series is listed at 9 runs.
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<p>
In their last game, the Pirates lost to the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2. In that contest, the Pirates scored two runs on only four hits and the Brewers scored four runs on 11 hits.
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In their most recent game, the Cardinals lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 5-1. In the game the Cardinals scored only one run on four hits and the Phillies scored five runs on seven hits.
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<p>
This season the Pirates rank 25th in the Majors in runs scored and 16th in team ERA.
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The Cardinals rank 26th in the Majors in runs scored and 9th in team ERA.
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<h2>
Pitching Match Up<br />
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<p>
Pittsburgh: Jamison Taillon (3-2, 3.38 ERA)<br />
St. Louis: Adam Wainwright (7-5, 5.75 ERA)
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<p>
Jamison Taillon goes for the Pirates tonight and in his last start he gave up four earned runs in five innings in a 7-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. The Pirates have lost two of his last three starts and in the two losses in that span he gave up 10 earned runs and in the one win he did not give any. He missed five weeks on the DL and has only made two starts since coming off it. Taillon only has one career starts against the Cardinals, which was last season where he took a no decision giving up two runs on six hits in six innings. The Pirates have won five of his last seven road starts and they have won seven of his last nine starts in the first game of a series.
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<p>
Adam Wainwright takes the hill for the first game of this NL Central series and in his last start he was shelled giving up nine earned runs and not making it past the 2nd inning in a 15-7 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. In his last two road starts he has given up 18 runs in only four innings while in his last two home starts he has only given up two earned runs in 11 innings. Wainwright has enjoyed a lot of success against the Pirates in his career and the Cardinals are 4-0 in his last four starts facing them and13-3 in his last 16 home starts against them. The Cardinals are 38-15 in Wainwright’s last 53 home starts and they are 6-2 in his last eight starts overall.
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<h2>
Betting Angles<br />
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<p>
The Cardinals are 6-0 in their last 6 games against the Pirates.
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<p>
The Cardinals are 28-11 in their last 39 home games against the Pirates.
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<p>
In the last 7 games between these teams the Under record is 6-1.
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<p>
In the last 7 games between these teams in St. Louis the Under record is 6-1.
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<p>
This season the Cardinals are 18-18 at home and the Pirates are 14-22 on the road.
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<h2>
Straight Up / Over/Under / Run Line Records<br />
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<p>
Pittsburgh Pirates: 33-40 SU / O/U 33-35 / Run Line W/L 37-36<br />
St. Louis Cardinals: 33-38 SU / O/U 39-30 / Run Line W/L 31-40
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<h2>
Pittsburgh at St. Louis Key Betting Trends<br />
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<ul>
<li>
PITT is 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing record
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<li>
PITT is 9-21 in their last 30 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game
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<li>
PITT has an Under record of 5-1in their last 6 games
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<li>
STL is 7-15 in their last 22 games vs. a right-handed starter
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<li>
STL is 3-9 in their last 12 games following a loss
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<li>
STL has an Over record of 7-2 in their last 9 games
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<h3>
Key Player Injuries<br />
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<p>
PIRATES<br />
[CF] 04/18/2017 - Starling Marte 80-game suspension (eligible to return 07/18 vs. Milwaukee) ( Suspension )<br />
[P] 05/28/2017 - Josh Lindblom 10-day DL (05/20) ( Side )<br />
[P] 05/28/2017 - Antonio Bastardo 10-day DL (04/25) ( Quad )<br />
[C] 06/22/2017 - Francisco Cervelli 7-day DL ( Concussion )
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CARDINALS<br />
[P] 04/10/2017 - Alex Reyes 10-day DL (03/30) ( Elbow )<br />
[P] 06/01/2017 - Zach Duke 60-day DL (03/29) ( Elbow )<br />
[CF] 06/22/2017 - Dexter Fowler "?" Friday vs. Pittsburgh Pirates ( Quad )<br />
[2B] 06/20/2017 - Kolten Wong 10-day DL (06/15) ( Tricep )
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