Pirates vs. Cardinals Betting Preview, Free Pick - August 10

The Cardinals have won seven of the last eight games versus Pittsburgh and can still be gotten at -160 at BetOnline.  Pittsburgh is actually 8-21 in the last 29 meetings.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Joe Musgrove (8-10, 4.69 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (7-8, 4.50)

Back stiffness likely contributed to the worst outing of the season for Musgrove, who was pounded for a season-high eight runs and 10 hits over 3 1/3 innings in a loss to the New York Mets on Sunday. The 26-year-old's struggles were a departure from his previous eight turns, in which he went 4-2 with a 3.09 ERA. Goldschmidt (5-for-10, homer) and Dexter Fowler (5-for-11, four extra-base hits) have enjoyed facing Musgrove, who is 0-3 with a 12.08 ERA in three starts versus the Cardinals this season.

Wainwright continued to struggle with his control Sunday in Oakland, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings to suffer his first loss since June 26. The three-time All-Star is 5-2 with a 2.26 ERA in 10 home outings, but he has issued 10 free passes in his last three turns. Wainwright recorded his only win over his last four starts in Pittsburgh on July 24 despite giving up four runs on five hits and four walks in five frames.

We do anticipate Wainwright rebounding.  Because St. Louis now has one of the top five bullpens in Major League Baseball, St. Louis should come out on top here.

Pittsburgh is also 4-22 in their last 26 games overall. 

Hard not to take St. Louis at the -160, and indeed that is our pick.  Remember, we don't go higher than this price.

- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com