28th Sept - Pirates vs Cardinals

Three games separate the St Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates with six games to play. The Cards have held the MLB’s best record for most of the 2015 season, but they could still lose control of their division if their final three games against the Pirates go awry.

Pittsburgh know how hard finishing second can be. They’ve hosted the last two Wildcard games after finishing three games behind St Louis in 2013, and just two games back last season.

J.A. Happ has been a solid pitching pick-up for Pittsburgh going 6-2 with a 2.28 ERA in nine starts with the Pirates. He hasn’t necessarily pitched deep into games, but he’s managed to get big outs when he needs them and has faith in his run support.

On the opposing mound, Lance Lynn has had his fair share of troubles pitching against Pittsburgh posting a 5.25 ERA in 17 career starts. His record hasn’t been great this season either, he lasted just four innings in a July 10 start, before posting the shortest start of his career in a loss on August 13.

Three Reasons for Betting Tips

1. Pittsburgh want this game more

As much as St Louis will be up for the challenge, we’re expecting PNC Park to ramped up for this and for Pittsburgh’s line-up to be up for the task. They’ll give Happ some runs and he’ll do the rest.

2. Lynn against the Pirates

He hasn’t enjoyed much success against quality hitting line-ups in general and Lynn has come unstuck against this line-up already this season. We won’t predict an early shower, but we don’t see him keeping this game quiet enough for the Cardinals to win.

3. Runs will be scored

We don’t see Happ shutting down Matt Carpenter and co down. After the Cubs and Pirates low-scoring tightly-fought series, we’re expecting a few more runs between these two teams, at least on Monday night.