Welcome to the St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Series Preview.
Starting Monday, August 23, and finishing Wednesday, August 25, the St. Louis Cardinals face the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three-game series in Pittsburgh.
This season, the Cardinals have a record of two wins and five losses versus the Pirates with a negative-seven run differential. They will play one more series against each other from Friday, September 1, through Sunday, September 3.
St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Series Preview
Probable Pitchers
Game 1: Matthew Libertore vs Bailey Falter (Monday 6:05 PM CDT)
Cardinals’ lefty Matthew Liberatore is coming off a rough outing against the Oakland Athletics. He allowed five earned runs across 4.1 innings and increased his ERA to 6.12 on the season.
Bailey Falter is a newer member of the Pirates. In exchange for infielder Rodolfo Castro, they acquired the left-hander from the Philadelphia Phillies at the trade deadline. In Falter’s three games with the Pirates, he has 13.1 innings pitched, ten strikeouts, and a 4.05 ERA.
Game 2: Adam Wainwright vs Johan Oviedo (Tuesday 6:05 PM CDT)
The veteran Adam Wainwright is coming off arguably his best start of the season. He pitched six innings versus the New York Mets, allowing three earned runs. This lowered his season-long ERA to 8.42 ERA.
Former Cardinal Johan Oviedo is in the midst of his longest season at the big-league level. He’s pitched a career-high 140.1 innings with a 4.55 ERA, six wins, and 13 losses.
Game 3: Zack Thompson vs Andre Jackson (Wednesday 11:35 AM CDT)
Lefty Zack Thompson is coming off another solid outing. He pitched five innings on Friday, allowing two earned runs off six hits and one walk. Thompson also struck out five batters.
Andre Jackson has served the Pirates as an opener and long relief option since joining them earlier this month. In Jackson’s first three appearances he lasted no more than three and two third innings. However, in his most recent appearance he was able to last four and a third innings. Jackson should be good to pitch for at least five innings in this outing. Since joining the Pirates Jackson is averaging 12.46 strikeouts per nine innings and a 3.46 ERA.
Top Performers to Watch
Nolan Arenado: Arenado went 6-for-24 this week with two home runs and scored two runs and three RBI.
Willson Contreras: Contreras continued his hot streak at the plate by going 3-for-10 with three walks in the last seven days.
Andrew Knizner: Fans may be surprised to see Knizner alongside his catching mate. However, he’s been on fire at the plate this week by going for 6-for-14 with four walks in the last seven days.
Tommy Edman: Edman got five hits in 24 at-bats this week and scored two runs and three RBI.
Opposing Players to Watch
Ke’Bryan Hayes: Hayes is the player to watch play defense for the Pirates. Since becoming a full-time MLBer in 2020, Hayes has been a perennial candidate to win the National League Gold Glove award at third base. The biggest obstacle standing in his way? Arenado.
Bryan Reynolds: Reynolds is the key player to watch bat for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is slashing .266/.330/.465 with 18 home runs, 62 runs, and 60 RBI this season.
Henry Davis: The rookie catcher turned outfielder has light-tower power and, despite his struggles this season, can easily belt a home run in this series.
Other News and Notes
The St. Louis Cardinals promoted top prospect Masyn Winn to the Major League team. He went 1-for-7 this weekend versus the Mets. This will be his first series (of many) against the division rival Pittsburgh Pirates.
Wainwright is still at 198 career wins but is coming off his best start of the season. He has a career record of 23 wins and eight losses versus the Pirates.
Projected St. Louis Cardinals Record This Series: 2-1
I project that the Cardinals will win two of the three games in Pittsburgh and earn their first series win versus the Pirates this year. I’ve got them winning the first two games before falling to Jackson in the third game.
This means it’s possible Wainwright will earn his 199th career win, and St. Louis will go on the watch for 200.
Check out my work over at FantasySixPack.net
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