The St. Louis Cardinals visit the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Both teams have similar records, with the Pirates holding a slight edge at 79-77 compared to the Cardinals’ 76-80. This close gap suggests a fairly even matchup.
Looking at the betting lines, the Cardinals are the underdog. They have a +129 moneyline, meaning a $100 bet would win $129 if they pull off the upset. Meanwhile, the Pirates are favored at -155, so you’d need to bet $155 to win $100 on them. This indicates sportsbooks see Pittsburgh as the likely winner.
The spread is set at 1.5 runs. The Cardinals are +1.5 at -179, so betting on them to lose by one run or win outright is the safer play but pays less. The Pirates are -1.5 at +148, meaning they must win by at least two runs for that bet to pay off. The positive odds on the Pirates’ spread suggest some confidence in a solid win margin.
The total runs line is 7.0, with the over at -120 and under at +100. The slightly lower payout on the over shows a mild lean toward a higher-scoring game, but the difference isn’t large enough to be decisive.
Overall, the Pirates are favored, but the close records and spread indicate a competitive game. Betting the Cardinals +1.5 offers some protection, while the Pirates moneyline or spread could yield bigger returns if they win comfortably. The total suggests a balanced scoring expectation.