30th Sept – Pirates vs Cardinals (Game 2)

22:59
Expired

Pittsburgh Pirates

St Louis Cardinals

The Pittsburgh Pirates and St Louis Cardinals each have two chances today. The Pirates need to win both games if they are to stand any chance of making a last gasp chase for the National League Central title, meanwhile, the Cardinals could all but lock up the title with just one more win. It would guarantee plenty of rest for this roster over the last week of a long MLB season.

On the mound in game two are Tyler Lyons for St Louis and Charlie Morton for Pittsburgh. Hitting was almost completely absent from the first game of the mini-series on Tuesday night when each team picked up just six hits and the Cardinals scored the only three runs of the game in the top of the ninth inning.

This’ll be Lyons eighth start of the 2015-16 season and 16th appearance. He has 49 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched, he hasn’t started since the 2nd September, but he did pitch the best part of four innings five days ago when Carlos Martinez had to leave the game against the Milwaukee Brewers after only one out.

Charlie Morton isn’t a deep game pitcher either, but he’s played a role in this Pirates’ rotation posting a 9-8 record with a 4.54 ERA. He’s been roughed up in his last two starts giving up 12 runs along the way. This is only his second appearance against the Cardinals, he pitched six innings giving up just one earned run on September 5th.

Three Reasons for Betting Tips

1. Pitchers will get hit

Neither of these pitchers are obvious choices to go six innings and with a game on earlier in the day, it feels like the bullpen’s might not be at full strength by game two either. There’s a good chance of some runs being scored in this match-up.

2. Pittsburgh find run-scoring form

There’s been something wrong with this Pirates’ offense over the last few games, it probably starts with Andrew McCutcheon, who isn’t in a strong run of form. We expect a big game from McCutcheon in one of today’s match-ups.