Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
First pitch: 2:15 p.m. ET
TV: Cardinals.TV / SportsNet PT
The Cardinals (third in the NL Central) lead the series 1-0 after a 4-1 win on Friday. Quinn Mathews earned his first MLB win (5.2 IP, 1 R, 7 K), and Jimmy Crooks hit a two-run homer. St. Louis improved to 6-2 against Pittsburgh this season. The Pirates (fourth in the NL Central) have scored just five runs in their last four games and continue to struggle offensively.
Starting Pitchers
Pirates: RHP Lake Bachar (1-3, 3.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, ~75 K in ~73 IP)
Expected to open in what sources describe as a bullpen/opener game (Carmen Mlodzinski likely to follow in a bulk role). Limited starting experience this season with solid underlying numbers in a mixed role. Faces a Cardinals lineup that has been inconsistent.
Cardinals: RHP Kyle Leahy (10-4, 3.13–3.14 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 115 K in 126.1 IP)
One of St. Louis’s more reliable arms with a strong win-loss record and solid strikeout rate. Provides length and consistency; the Cardinals are managing his innings carefully late in the season. Clear experience edge in this matchup.
Current Rosters & Key Players
Pirates key contributors: Nick Gonzales (.307 AVG), Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, Brandon Lowe, Jared Triolo, Jake Mangum, and depth pieces filling gaps. Offense has been quiet recently.
Cardinals key contributors: Alec Burleson (.291 AVG, approaching 100 RBI), Jordan Walker, Nolan Gorman, Jimmy Crooks (homered Friday), Iván Herrera, Nathan Church, José Fermín, and supporting talent. St. Louis ranks lower in power but can manufacture runs.
Injury Reports
Pirates
Endy Rodríguez (C, hip) – 10-day IL
Ryan O’Hearn (OF/1B, quadriceps) – 10-day IL
Mitch Keller (SP, arm) – 60-day IL
Konnor Griffin (INF, finger) – 60-day IL
Cardinals
Masyn Winn (SS, thumb) – 10-day IL
Everson Pereira (OF, hand) – 10-day IL
Blaze Jordan (INF, ankle) – sidelined
Peter Strzelecki (RP, forearm) – 15-day IL
Andre Pallante (SP, elbow) – 15-day IL
Hunter Dobbins (SP, forearm) – 15-day IL
Max Rajcic (SP, elbow) – 60-day IL
Both teams are dealing with significant absences, particularly in the infield and pitching staff for St. Louis.
Weather Forecast (Busch Stadium)
Clear to overcast/partly cloudy, high around 84–88°F. Light winds ~3–7 mph from the ESE/S. Precipitation chance near 0%. Comfortable late-summer conditions with minimal weather impact expected.
Recent Team Forms
Pirates: 4-6 last 10. Road record 31-39. Offense has been especially quiet (low run totals in recent games).
Cardinals: 4-6 last 10, but won Friday to improve to .500. Home record 34-36. Have dominated the season series against Pittsburgh.
Series History (2026)
Cardinals lead the season series 6-2 (and this series 1-0). St. Louis swept earlier sets and has the overall edge. Remaining game: Sunday at Busch Stadium.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups / Storylines
Bachar (opener)/Pirates bullpen vs. Cardinals contact: Burleson (nearing 100 RBI), Walker, Gorman, and Crooks will look to jump on the right-hander early. Pittsburgh’s bulk plan will be tested.
Leahy vs. Pirates lineup: Gonzales, Reynolds, Cruz, and Lowe present the main threats. Leahy’s experience and strikeout ability give him an edge against a struggling Pittsburgh offense.
Alec Burleson’s RBI chase and Jordan Walker’s production are key for St. Louis.
Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds need to spark the Pirates.
Bullpen depth and opener usage will heavily influence the game’s length and outcome.
Betting Trends
Markets are relatively close, with some listing the Pirates as slight favorites despite being on the road, likely due to the Cardinals’ injury list and recent offensive struggles. The total is low, reflecting both teams’ recent scoring issues and solid pitching options.
Game Odds
Pittsburgh Pirates 8.5
St. Louis Cardinals – 122
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, August 28, 2026
