The St. Louis Cardinals visit the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. The Cardinals hold a 76-81 record, while the Pirates are slightly ahead at 80-77. This suggests the Pirates have had a moderately better season so far.
Looking at the betting odds, Pittsburgh is the favorite at home with a moneyline of -121, meaning you'd need to bet $121 to win $100 on the Pirates outright. The Cardinals are the underdogs at even money (100), so a $100 bet would win $100 if they pull off the upset.
The spread is set at 1.5 runs, with the Cardinals favored at -1.5 (+170) and the Pirates at +1.5 (-208). Betting the Cardinals to cover means they must win by at least two runs, but the payout is higher due to the risk. Taking the Pirates with the +1.5 spread gives you a better chance to win your bet since they can lose by one run or win outright, but the payout is smaller.
The total runs line is 7.5, with the over slightly favored at -112 and the under at -107. This means the sportsbook expects a moderately scoring game, and the betting on over or under is close, offering a balanced choice depending on how you view the pitching and offense.
Overall, the Pirates are favored at home, but the spread offers value on the Cardinals if you think they can win convincingly. The total suggests a moderately paced game. Choose based on your confidence in either team’s offense and pitching for this matchup.